Two kinds of imported ice-cream samples detected with total bacterial counts and coliform bacteria exceeding legal limits

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department noted today (September 14) that the total bacterial counts and coliform bacteria of two kinds of ice-cream of the same brand, imported from India, were found to exceed the legal limits. The affected products have been marked and sealed at import level and have not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.

Product details are as follows:
 
(1) Product name: Fruit Bonanza Ice Cream (Cashew & Coconut)
     Product brand: Vadilal
Place of origin: India
Importer: Greens (HK) Ltd
Net volume: 140 millilitres/4.73 fluid ounces
Best-before date: October 14, 2018

 (2) Product name: Tender Coconut Ice Cream
     Product brand: Vadilal
Place of origin: India
Importer: Greens (HK) Ltd
Net volume: 140 millilitres/4.73 fluid ounces
Best-before date: October 14, 2018

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The samples of the above two kinds of  ice-cream were collected at import level for testing under the routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that four samples of Fruit Bonanza Ice Cream (Cashew & Coconut) contained coliform bacteria ranging between 210 and 280 per gram, whereas four samples of Tender Coconut Ice Cream were detected with total bacterial counts ranging between 66 000 and 640 000 per gram with two of the samples also containing 170 and 3 000 coliform bacteria per gram. All are above the legal limits."

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132 AC), each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria or 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 total bacterial count and the coliform bacteria exceeded the legal limits indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

"The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularities. The affected products have all been marked and sealed and have not entered the market. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the two kinds of product concerned granted earlier to the importer," the spokesman said.

The CFS will inform the Indian authorities of the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action.
 
Ends/Thursday, September 14, 2017