Food Alerts / Allergy Alerts - CFS urges public not to consume prepackaged ginger root powder and coconut drink with possible presence of ethylene oxide

CFS urges public not to consume prepackaged ginger root powder and coconut drink with possible presence of ethylene oxide

Issue Date	18.8.2021
Source of Information	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)
Food Product	Prepackaged ginger root powder and coconut drink
Product Name and Description	Product name: Organic ginger root powder Brand: Nature's Finest Place of origin: India Net weight: 100 grams per can Best-before date: 21 November 2022 Importer: Tembo Foods Ltd Product name: Organic coconut drink Brand: BJORG Place of origin: Italy Net volume: 1 litre per pack Best-before date: 26 January 2022 Importer: Tembo Foods Ltd
Reason For Issuing Alert	The CFS received a notification from the importer concerned that it was notified by its suppliers that the above-mentioned products were suspected of containing a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the EU, and the importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the importer concerned has voluntarily removed the products from shelves, stopped the sale of the affected products and has initiated a recall.
Advice to the Trade	Stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers	Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2389 2312 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
Further Information	The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2021-8-18