Several kinds of imported prepackaged coconut yoghurt suspected to contain undeclared allergen (milk)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 25) that several kinds of imported prepackaged coconut yoghurt might contain milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the products' food labels. The CFS urged consumers who are allergic to milk not to consume the affected batches of the products concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming any of the products concerned should seek medical treatment. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately if they possess any of them.
Product details are as follows:
Product names (pack sizes):
(1) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Strawberry (150 grams)
(2) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Natural (150 grams)
(3) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Mango (150 grams)
(4) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Vanilla (150 grams)
(5) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Natural (500 grams)
(6) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Mango (500 grams)
(7) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Passionfruit (500 grams)
(8) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Vanilla (500 grams)
(9) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Blueberry (500 grams)
(10) Cocobella Coconut Yogurt - Strawberry (500 grams)
Brand: Cocobella
Place of origin: Australia
Use-by dates: Up to and including October 6, 2025
Importer: Nowaday International Development Limited
"The CFS received a notification from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) that the above-mentioned products are being recalled, as they may contain milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the products' food labels. According to the information provided by INFOSAN, the affected products have been imported into Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CFS said.
Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned. The importer has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2882 2347 during office hours with any enquiries about the recall.
"People who are allergic to milk may have an immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and a rash upon consumption of food containing this allergen. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," the spokesman added.
The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The CFS will alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
