Food safety recall round-up 1- 6 October 2016
Bacteria counts in ice cream
Hong Kong: Total bacteria counts of two samples of Grom dark chocolate have been found to exceed the legal limit, according to Hong Kong authorities.
Product was imported from Italy by Venford (Hong Kong) and has best before date December 31 2018.
Total bacteria counts exceeding the legal limit indicated hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory but did not mean it would lead to food poisoning, said the Centre for Food Safety (CFS).
"The test results showed that the total bacteria counts of two of the samples were 65,000 per gram. Under the Frozen Confections Regulation, each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction," said a spokesman.
"The affected consignment was marked and sealed and did not enter the local market. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer. The CFS will also inform the Italian authorities for follow-up."
