Total bacterial count exceeds legal limit in frozen confection sample

Food name:

Vanilla Gelato
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Non-compliant test parameter: Contains more than 50000 bacteria per gram
Detected level: Contains 59000 bacteria per gram
Sampling location: A frozen confection factory in Kwai Chung

Remarks:

  1. Staff of the CFS has visited the licensed Frozen Confection Factory concerned and conducted inspection. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling and production of the affected frozen confection immediately.
  2. The CFS has provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the vendor concerned, and has requested them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.
  3. 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.
  4. The CFS will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result so as to safeguard public health.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Thursday, January 20, 2022