The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (June 21) that the CFS is actively following up on media reports that two kinds of ice cream from France were found in Taiwan with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the European Union (EU). The CFS's initial investigation showed that the affected batches of the products had been imported to Hong Kong.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream Pint
Brand: Häagen-Dazs
Place of origin: France
Net volume: 473 millilitres
Best-before date: April 13, 2023
importer: General Mills Hong Kong Limited
Product name: Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream Bulk
Brand: Häagen-Dazs
Place of origin: France
Net volume: 9.46 litres
Best-before date: October 26, 2022
importer: General Mills Hong Kong Limited
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon noticing recent media reports that the two kinds of ice cream were found in Taiwan with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer and retailers for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned."
Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned importer has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batches of the products upon the CFS's instructions and has initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the relevant importer at 2629 6116 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
The spokesman urged the public not to consume the affected batches of the products if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products concerned immediately if they possess them.
The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
