Total bacterial counts and coliform bacteria exceeds legal limit in Frozen Confections sample

Product name:

 Stecco Natura Hazelnut Frozen Confection (70g)

Brand:

 Stecco Natura Gelaterie

Place of origin:

 Italy
Plant name and address: Gelati Pepino 1884 S.P.A. Via Madonna del Ponte, 10 Avigliana(TO)- Italia

Importer:

 Icy Matters Company Limited

Net weight:

 273 kgs

Best-before date:

 24 Mar 2021

Non-compliant test parameters:

 Contains more than 50,000 bacteria per gram or more than more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram

Detected content:

 5 samples from the same batch contain 100,000 to 140,000 bacteria per gram and 2,100 to 2,600 coliform bacteria per gram

Sampling location:

Inspection Room at G/F, Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal, Hong Kong International Airport

Remarks:
  1. The affected batches of the products are being kept in cold store and have not entered the market.
  2. Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria per gram or more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. 
  3. CFS will temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer.
  4. The CFS will inform the Italian authorities of the incident.
  5. The CFS has informed the importer, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.

END/Wednesday, October 23, 2019