Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has issued an urgent public health notice regarding contaminated durian-flavored ice cream that contains bacterial levels exceeding legal safety standards. The agency has instructed the public to immediately stop consuming the affected product and has ordered retailers to remove it from shelves.
Product Details and Contamination
The contaminated product is Alchemia brand Durian Gelato, manufactured by Pay & Pay Ice Cream International Company Limited and distributed by Kai’s Gourmet Limited. The 70-milliliter containers carry a best-before date of April 13, 2026, and originate from Hong Kong production facilities.
Laboratory testing revealed the ice cream contains 110 coliform bacteria per gram, which surpasses the maximum legal limit of 100 coliform bacteria per gram established under Hong Kong’s Frozen Confections Regulation. This bacterial count indicates unsatisfactory hygiene conditions during production or handling processes.
Health Authorities’ Response
The Centre for Food Safety discovered the contamination during routine surveillance testing of a sample collected from a food stall at an exposition on Lantau Island. Following the positive test results, health officials contacted the distributor to halt sales and began enforcement procedures.
Investigators have visited the manufacturing facility to conduct an inspection and collect additional samples for testing. The facility’s management and staff received mandatory food safety and hygiene education, and authorities have required thorough cleaning and disinfection of the production premises.
Legal Implications and Penalties
The bacterial contamination violates Hong Kong’s food safety regulations, which carry significant penalties for non-compliance. Violations of the Frozen Confections Regulation can result in fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to three months upon conviction.
Health authorities have initiated a formal recall process and are evaluating evidence for potential prosecution. The distributor must cooperate with recall efforts and remove all affected inventory from retail locations.
Public Health Guidance
While the elevated coliform count indicates poor hygiene standards, health officials note that consumption does not automatically result in food poisoning. However, authorities recommend that anyone who has consumed the affected product and experiences illness should seek medical attention promptly.
Ongoing Investigation
The Centre for Food Safety continues investigating the contamination source and monitoring the recall process effectiveness. Officials are coordinating with industry partners to ensure complete removal of affected products from the market and prevent similar incidents.
Updates regarding the investigation’s progress and any additional affected products will be communicated to the public as information becomes available.
