The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 24) announced that the Centre has learnt through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System that a kind of prepackaged coconut soy drink, produced in Hong Kong, is being recalled in Australia and New Zealand as the product is found to contain an undeclared allergen, dairy. A spokesman for the CFS advises consumers who are allergic to milk to refrain from consuming the product. The trade should also stop selling the product immediately.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Vitasoy Coconut Soy Drink
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Manufacturer: Vitasoy International Holdings Limited
Packing: 250 millilitres or 6 x 250 millilitres
Best before date: All batches and all dates
"Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately taken follow-up actions, including contacting the local manufacturer and major retailers and conducting sales checks at local retail outlets, to get more information on the sale situation of the affected product. According to the information provided by the manufacturer, the product in question is mainly supplied to overseas market but a small quantity of the product had been sold in Hong Kong. A recall of the product will be initiated," the spokesman said.
He advised consumers who were allergic to milk to stop consuming the concerned product. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming.
"People who are allergic to milk may have immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing this allergen. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," he said.
CFS staff have inspected local major retail outlets and found no affected product on sale so far. The CFS will alert the local trade to the incident and urge them to stop selling the product concerned immediately.
For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may call the manufacturer at 2468 9645 during office hours.
The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The CFS will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201510/24/P201510240733.htm