Undeclared allergen (milk) found in imported bottled coconut drink

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 24) announced that a kind of imported bottled coconut drink was found to contain milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the product's food label. The CFS advised consumers who are allergic to milk not to consume the batch of product concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming it should seek medical treatment. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of product concerned immediately.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Fresh Coconut Juice
Brand: 鐵尺本館 (English brand name not available)
Place of origin: China
Volume: 450 ml
Best-before date: May 9, 2025
Sole agent: KitKat (Hong Kong) Company Limited

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the product's food label," a spokesman for the CFS said.

The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. According to the CFS's instructions, the sole agent has initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2478 0819 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

"People who are allergic to milk may have an immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing this allergen. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," the spokesman added.

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Monday, June 24, 2024