The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 3) that the total bacteria counts of two samples of frozen confection from the same batch, imported from Italy, were found to exceed the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: Dark Chocolate
Product brand: GROM
Place of origin: Italy
Importer: Venford (Hong Kong) Limited
Best-before date: December 31, 2018
Net weight:  Two packs per box (Six kilograms per pack)

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned frozen confection samples for testing at the import level under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the total bacteria counts of two of the samples were 65 000 per gram. Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132 AC), each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction."

     "The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularities. The affected consignment was marked and sealed and did not enter the local market. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer. Other products of the same brand will not be affected. The CFS will also inform the Italian authorities for follow-up."

     The fact that the total bacteria counts exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean it would lead to food poisoning. The CFS will continue to follow up on the case, the spokesman noted.

Ends/Monday, October 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:23

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