Milk samples from New Zealand detected with total bacterial counts exceeding legal limit
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Product details are as follows:
Product name: Pure Fresh FULL CREAM MILK
Product brand: Therealmilkco
Place of origin: New Zealand
Manufacturer: Green Valley Dairies Limited
Importer: The Dairy Farm Company Limited
Net volume: 225 millilitres per bottle and 1 litre per bottle
Use-by date: October 22, 2017
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the three samples of 225 millilitres pack and two samples of 1 litre pack for testing at import level under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the total bacterial counts of the three samples of 225 millilitres pack ranged between 24 000 000 per millilitre and 28 000 000 per millilitre while those of the two samples of 1 litre pack were 17 000 000 per millilitre and 20 000 000 per millilitre. According to the Milk Regulation (Cap 132 AQ), milk after heat treatment by means of pasteurisation should not contain more than 30 000 bacteria per millilitre.
"The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. Investigation revealed that the affected batch of product has not entered the local market and has been destroyed under the supervision of the CFS. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer. Other types of the same brand of milk product being sold in the market are not affected. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence."
The spokesman said that the total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean it would lead to food poisoning.
The CFS has informed the New Zealand authorities of the incident, and will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.
Ends/Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:01
Issued at HKT 19:01
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