The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 24) urged the public not to consume a kind of imported corn flour, due to the detection of excessive tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

     Product details are as follows:

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

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The 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."

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

     The spokesman said that 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.

     The spokesman urged the public not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, October 24, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:14

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