Not to consume a batch of Coconut oil sample detected with harmful contaminant benzo[a]pyrene

Issue Date 20.2.2019
Source of Information

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)
Food Product

Bottled coconut oil
Product Name and Description

Product name: Organic Refined Coconut Oil

Brand: Nutiva

Place of origin: Philippines

Distributor/importer: Eastern Zone Co Ltd

Volume: 680 millilitres/23 ounces per bottle

Best-before date: May 1, 2020
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Sheung Wan for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained BaP at a level of 47 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg), exceeding the action level of 10µg/kg established by the CFS after consulting the Expert Committee on Food Safety.
  • The CFS had informed the distributor/importer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product, and initiate a recall immediately.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product should they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Stop consuming the affected batch of the product.
Further Information

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the distributor/importer's hotline at 2965 6422 or 2965 6423 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2019-2-20

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