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CFS urges public not to consume a prepackaged ice cream detected with coliform bacteria count exceeding legal limit

  • 2025.08.12
Issue Date12.8.2025
Source of Information

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Food Product

Prepackaged coconut flavoured ice cream

Product Name and Description

Product name: Original Coconut Gelato
Brand: Make Meanings
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Net volume: 70ml
Best-before date: January 21, 2026
Manufacturer: Pay & Pay Ice Cream International Company Limited
Distributor: Cheung Wo Food Supply Company Limited

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a vending machine in Tseung Kwan O for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 140 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.
  • The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS has informed the manufacturer and the operator of the vending machine concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling the affected ice-cream product immediately.

  • The CFS has also immediately sent staff to the frozen confection factory concerned to conduct an investigation and took samples for testing.

  • Health education on food safety and hygiene was provided to the person-in-charge and staff of the frozen confection factory concerned. They have also been requested to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises.

  • The CFS has instructed the above-mentioned manufacturer to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected batch of the product and to initiate a recall.

  • The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Advice to the Trade

Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if in possession.

Advice to Consumers

Stop consuming the affected product. Seek medical advice if feeling unwell after consuming the product concerned.

Further Information

The CFS press release

 

Members of the public may call the hotline at 5548 9226 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:
https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fa/2025_599.html