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Not to consume imported prepackaged cumin powder with possible presence of ethylene oxide

  • 2025.07.03
Issue Date3.7.2025
Source of Information

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission

Food Product

Prepackaged cumin powder

Product Name and Description

Product name: KȔMMEL GEMAHLEN

Brand: MIMINO

Place of origin: Georgia

Net weight: 50 grams

Best-before date: December 1, 2025

Importer: Greek Delicatessen Limited

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it was detected with ethylene oxide. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product.  
  • The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers for follow-up. The importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected product, and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade

Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Advice to Consumers

Not to consume the affected batch of the product.

Further Information

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3101 0783 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fa/2025_592.html