Undeclared allergen (milk) found in imported bottled coconut drink

Issue Date 24.6.2024
Source of Information

Centre for Food Safety

Food Product

Bottled coconut drink

Product Name and Description

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

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • 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.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Members of the public who are allergic to milk should not consume the batch of product concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming it should seek medical treatment.
Further Information

The CFS press release

 

Members of the public may call its hotline at 2478 0819 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2024-6-24

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