The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 14) said that subsequent to earlier announcements that some imported chocolate products might have been contaminated with Salmonella, a pathogen, follow-up investigations showed another two affected products have been imported to Hong Kong. The CFS urged the public not to consume the products concerned. The trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess them.
Details of the products are as follows:
Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Rosa 100g XMAS
Brand: Kinder
Place of origin: Belgium
Net weight: 100 grams per pack
Best-before date: April 20, 2022
Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Classic 100g XMAS
Brand: Kinder
Place of origin: Belgium
Net weight: 100 grams per pack
Best-before date: April 20, 2022
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the Rapid alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned batches of chocolate products are suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella and have been imported into Hong Kong. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers for follow-up."
The CFS's follow up investigations found that an importer, CIAO International Limited, had imported the affected batches of products. As a precautionary measure, the importer has already stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected products on April 7, and will initiate a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2755 7777 during office hours.
"Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and persons with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death," the spokesman said.
The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected products if they have bought any. The latest information of affected products can be found at the CFS's Food Incident Post webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/rc/subject/fi_list.html). The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.
The CFS has stepped up testing of related products as well as alerting the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up, closely liaise with overseas authorities and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
