CFS urges public not to consume several products with possible presence of ethylene oxide

Issue Date 4.8.2021
Source of Information

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission & The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)
Food Product

Beverages, Prepackaged Ice cream
Product Name and Description

Product 1:

Name: Orasi Hazelnut

Brand: Orasi

Place of origin: Italy

Net weight: 1 litre per pack

Best-before date: April 26, 2022

Importer: Unigra' S.R.L.

Product 2:

Name: Orasi Walnut
Brand: Orasi
Place of origin: Italy
Net weight: 1 litre per pack
Best-before date: June 7, 2022

Importer: Unigra' S.R.L.

Product 3:

Name: (1)Blueberry no added sugar ice cream
              (2) Earl Grey no added sugar ice cream
              (3) Dark Chocolate no added sugar ice cream

Brand: Wow Zero

Net volume: 100 millilitres per cup (for all flavours)

Best-before dates:
(1) May 27, 2022, and June 18, 2022
(2) May 27, 2022, and June 17, 2022
(3) May 28, 2022, and June 29, 2022

Distributor: Wealthy Making Limited
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the locust bean gum used in the above-mentioned products 1 & 2 was found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the EU. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected products have been imported into Hong Kong. The local importer concerned are being followed up. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned.
  • CFS was following up on a stabiliser imported from France with the possible presence of ethylene oxide announced earlier on, was notified that the affected stabiliser has been used in a kind of locally produced prepackaged ice cream product 3 with various flavours.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The above-mentioned importer and distributor have removed the products from shelves and stopped the sale of the affected products upon the CFS' instructions and have initiated recalls.
Advice to the Trade
  • The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.
Advice to Consumers
  • Do not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
  • Members of the public may call the importer Unigra' S.R.L.'s hotline at 2811 8395 and the distributor Wealthy Making Limited‘s hotline at 9086 8757 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
Further Information

The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2021-8-4

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