Ice-cream sample detected with coliform bacteria exceeding legal limit
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"Subsequent to announcing that an ice-cream sample taken from the premises of a frozen confection factory in Central found to contain a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit, the CFS has enhanced surveillance on products of the premises and provided health education to the person-in-charge and staff of the vendor concerned. The CFS has taken another ice-cream sample in salted caramel flavour from the same premises during follow-up investigation. The test result showed that the sample contained coliform bacteria of 140 per gram, exceeding the legal limit," a spokesman for the CFS said.
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132 AC), 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 bacteria 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 and instructed it to stop selling the affected ice-cream immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the vendor concerned again, and has requested them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be initiated," the spokesman said.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action including tracing the source of the affected product to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:41
Issued at HKT 20:41
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