CFS continues to follow up on unsatisfactory Trappist Dairy Fresh Milk found with excessive total bacterial count
| Issue Date | 29.8.2015 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Hi-Calcium Low Fat Milk Drink |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Trappist Dairy Hi-Calcium Low Fat Milk Drink |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | A sample of the Milk Drink containing total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS following up on an unsatisfactory Trappist Dairy Fresh Milk sample earlier (alerted on 21-8-2015), the CFS took samples from the premises for testing again. A sample of the Low Fat Milk Drink was collected from 7-Eleven convenience store on ground floor, 34-36 Nullah Road, Mong Kok for testing. Test result showed that the total bacterial count of the sample was 7 800 000 per millilitre. According to the Milk Regulation, milk after heat-treatment by means of pasteurisation should not contain more than 30 000 bacteria per millilitre. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed the vendor concerned to stop sale and take the product concerned off shelf. Prosecution will be initiated should there be sufficient evidence. The CFS will also alert the trade to the incident. The fact that total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit indicates unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, but does not mean it would lead to food poisoning. Nevertheless, it will be prudent for consumers who have bought the affected product to refrain from drinking it. The trade should also stop selling the affected products. In view of the above test result, the CFS contacted the manufacturer on 28.8.2015 again. According to the information provided by the manufacturer, they cleaned up the production plant on August 23, and the affected batch of the product was produced before the cleansing. However, for the sake of prudence, the CFS has instructed the manufacturer to recall all milk drinks manufactured on or before August 24 (i.e. the use by date on or before September 1, 2015). The manufacturer will also carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection again before resumption of production. The CFS will continue to investigate the incident and will closely monitor the products produced by the manufacturer to safeguard food safety and public health. |
| Advice to the Trade | The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately |
| Advice to Consumers | Members of the public not to consume the affected batch of the product |
| Further Information | The CFS press |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2015-8-29