Not to consume a kind of imported corn flour due to detection of excessive tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine

Issue Date 24.10.2024
Source of Information

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission

Food Product

Corn flour

Product Name and Description

Product name: Primeal Corn Flour [PRIMEAL FARINE DE MAIS Maismeel]

Brand: Primeal

Place of origin: France

Net weight: 500 grams per pack

Lot number: 630907

Best-before date: February 18, 2025

Importer: ICOSMOBEAUTY LIMITED

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product is under recall, due to the detection of tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine at a level exceeding the relevant limit of France. Investigations by the CFS revealed that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned.  
  • Consumption of products detected with tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine may cause short-term adverse effects, for example, dilated pupils, change of heart rate, dryness of the mouth, and flushed skin. Tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine will be excreted from the body and therefore there are no long term health effects.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • For the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned importer has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product upon the CFS's instructions and has initiated a recall.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade

Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

Advice to Consumers

Not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought any.

Further Information

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the importer concerned at 9214 4287 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Photos for reference only

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2024-10-24

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