Call to stop consuming consume a batch of dark chocolate containing harmful contaminants, namely benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
| Issue Date | 20.5.2016 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission |
| Food Product | A batch of dark chocolate manufactured in Spain |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Dark chocolate bar 70% cocoa minimum |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the RASFF of the European Commission that a batch of dark chocolate manufactured in Spain was found to contain benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) at levels exceeding the relevant European standards. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the French wholesaler concerned has initiated a recall and certain affected product has been imported into Hong Kong. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS has followed up with the importer concerned, Foodgears Industrial International Limited, and learned that a total of 16 boxes of the affected product (80kg in total) had been imported to Hong Kong. Some of the product had been supplied to a local hotel, while the remaining stock of eight boxes has been voluntarily surrendered by the importer concerned to the CFS for disposal. The CFS has also instructed the importer to notify the hotel concerned to immediately remove from shelves and stop sale of the affected product, and initiate a recall. The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the product concerned. |
| Advice to Consumers | Not to consume the affected products. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3999 5774 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2016-5-20