CFS Warns Public Against Durian Ice Cream Contaminated with Coliform Bacteria Exceeding Legal Limits

CFS urges public not to consume a kind of ice cream detected with coliform bacteria counts exceeding legal limits

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 2) urged the public not to consume a kind of durian flavoured ice cream, which was found to contain coliform bacteria and its count exceeding the legal limit. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately if they possess them.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product Name: Durian Gelato

Brand: Alchemia

Place of Origin: Hong Kong

Net Volume: 70 ml

Best-before Date: April 13, 2026

Manufacturer: Pay & Pay Ice Cream International Company Limited

Distributor: Kai's Gourmet Limited

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample for testing from a food stall at an expo on Lantau under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 110 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit."

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132 AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

"The CFS has informed the distributor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling the affected ice-cream immediately. The CFS has also immediately sent staff to the frozen confection factory concerned to conduct an investigation and took samples for testing. Health education on food safety and hygiene was provided to the person-in-charge and staff. They have also been requested to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be initiated," the spokesman said.

For the sake of prudence, the CFS has instructed the above-mentioned distributor to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected products, and to initiate a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the distributor (hotline: 3483 0098).

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

FEHD deeply grieved by death of Workman II

The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Donald Ng, today (December 31) expressed profound sadness at the passing of a Workman II, Ms Li Haiying, and offered his deepest condolences to her family.

Ms Li was carrying out street cleansing duties this afternoon in the vicinity of Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei. While transporting refuse to the junction of Waterloo Road and Ferry Street, she was knocked down by a goods vehicle. She was sent to hospital and later certified dead, aged 57. Investigation by the Police is under way.

Ms Li was under the Yau Tsim District Environmental Hygiene Office and was mainly responsible for street cleansing work.

Mr Ng said, "Having joined theFood and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for over nine years, Ms Li served the public with dedication and perseverance. I am deeply grieved at the loss of such a devoted colleague. On behalf of all our colleagues, I offer the deepest condolences to her family."

The FEHD will maintain close contact with Ms Li's family and provide all appropriate support and assistance to help them through this difficult time.

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