The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 28) announced that a matcha flavour ice popsicle sample was found to contain a coliform count exceeding the legal limit. Follow-up is in progress.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The Centre collected the above-mentioned sample from the premises of a frozen confection factory in San Po Kong for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained a coliform count of 260 per gram, exceeding the legal limit."

     Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132AC), each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. 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 premises concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to immediately stop supplying the affected product and selling it at its retail outlets.  The CFS will provide health education on food safety and hygiene for the person-in-charge and staff concerned, and request them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection," the spokesman said.

     The CFS will follow up on the case closely and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:22

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