The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 19) announced that a mango flavoured popsicle sample was found to contain a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit. Follow-up is in progress.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to announcing earlier that the total bacterial count of a mango flavoured popsicle sample taken from the premises of a frozen confection factory in Kwun Tong exceeding the legal limit, the CFS took another sample of the same kind of popsicle from its retail outlet in Admiralty for testing during follow-up investigations. Similar irregularity was detected with the test result showing that the sample contained a total bacterial count of 210 000 per gram, exceeding the legal limit."

     Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the total bacterial 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 vendor concerned of the irregularity. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. The vendor has already stopped supplying the affected product at all of its retail outlets earlier according to CFS' instructions. The CFS has provided health education on food safety and hygiene for the person-in-charge and staff concerned, and they have carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection of the concerned premises. The above sample was taken before the supply of the affected product ceased," the spokesman said.

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

Ends/Thursday, April 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:45

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