The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 26) urged the public not to consume a kind of chocolate sweets imported from France because the sesame seed used was found with a possible carcinogenic substance, ethylene oxide. The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Advent Calendar Cracker
Brand: La Maison du Chocolat
Place of origin: France
Sole importer: La Maison du Chocolat Hong Kong
Pack size: 185 grams per pack
Batch: J29X
Best before date: December 31, 2020

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the above sole importer of the product that the above-mentioned batch of the affected product contains sesame seed with a possible presence of ethylene oxide, and it has initiated a voluntary recall.

      Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned to follow up. According to the importer, the affected batch of the product was only sold at their chain stores and e-commerce store, and it had already stopped selling the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2343 3331 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

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

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

Ends/Thursday, November 26, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:23

NNNN