The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Sorbet

Product name: Mango Gelato (Sorbet)
Distributor: da dolce Gelato Italiano
Manufacturer: Wealthy Making Limited
Volume: 450 millilitres
Best before date: 28 February 2016

Subsequent to the detection of excessive coliform organisms in a sample of locally made prepackaged sorbet (frozen confection), the CFS has been following up on the incident closely, including taking follow-up samples from the manufacturer concerned, and found again another mango-flavoured sample of the same batch contained a coliform count of 240 per gram, exceeding the legal limit.

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132 sub leg AC), each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform organisms. The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

The CFS has informed the manufacturer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to suspend the production of the sorbet concerned, carry out thorough cleansing and disinfection, and review and improve its manufacturing process. Prosecution will also be considered.

Although the manufacturer concerned has voluntarily stopped manufacturing the sorbet in question, for the sake of prudence, CFS staff will inspect major retail outlets to ensure that no affected product is available for sale in the market. Sorbet products of other flavours will not be affected.

The CFS will inform the local trade, follow up on the case closely and take appropriate actions, including collecting samples for testing when the manufacturer resumes supply of the relevant product, to safeguard food safety and public health.

Stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

Not to consume the affected product, regardless of batches.

The CFS press release