Imported prepackaged yoghurt product suspected to contain undeclared allergen (gluten)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 20) that a kind of imported prepackaged yoghurt product might contain gluten, a known allergen, but it was not declared on the product's food label. The CFS urged consumers who are intolerant to gluten not to consume the affected batch of the product. Those who feel unwell after consuming the product concerned should seek medical treatment. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Authentic Greek Yogurt with Vanilla
Brand: Marks & Spencer
Place of origin: Greece
Importer: Alf Retail Hong Kong Limited
Pack size: 500 grams per box
Use-by date: May 12, 2026
"The CFS noticed that the above-mentioned batch of the product concerned might contain gluten, a known allergen, which was not declared on its food label and followed up with the relevant importer. The importer confirmed that it had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned, and has voluntarily stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected product and initiated a recall as a precautionary measure. Members of the public may call its hotline at 800931457 during office hours for enquiries about the recall," a spokesman for the CFS said.
"Individuals who are intolerant to gluten may develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and a rash upon consumption," the spokesman added.
The spokesman advised those who are intolerant to gluten not to consume the affected batch of the product, and to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the food. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately should they possess it.
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, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
OASES announces new batch of 22 strategic enterprises
The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) today (April 20) held a signing ceremony to welcome its latest batch of 22 strategic enterprises (see Annex) establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong.
The ceremony was officiated by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan.
Many of the enterprises in this batch have a market valuation exceeding $100 billion. The cohort includes global top 10 and top 20 pharmaceutical firms, which are world leaders in life and health technology, and industry titans in advanced microprocessor manufacturing, artificial general intelligence (AGI), smart mobility technology, global eVTOL innovation, leading low-altitude economy infrastructure, digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure, and internationally renowned game development.
With the addition of these enterprises, OASES has successfully attracted more than 120 strategic enterprises to date. Collectively, these companies are projected to bring approximately $73 billion in investment and create about 25 000 job opportunities in high-end research and development (R&D) and management positions over the coming years. This will provide strong impetus for Hong Kong's industrial upgrading and talent development.
Mr Chan warmly welcomed a new cohort of key enterprises setting up in Hong Kong. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said, "Our strategic enterprise partners are helping to strengthen Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. Many have formed partnerships with local universities, enterprises and research institutions. Some are collaborating with our hospitals, applying advanced technologies to improve the care for local patients. Others are using Hong Kong as a platform to pilot their cutting-edge applications, such as autonomous driving and fintech solutions, before scaling them internationally."
He added that many of the key enterprises that arrived earlier have established global or regional headquarters as well as R&D centres in Hong Kong. They are also actively establishing a presence in the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Hong Kong Park, leveraging Hong Kong's proximity and synergy with Shenzhen and the rest of the Greater Bay Area.
"This is a clear win-win for Hong Kong and for the enterprises. On the one hand, they bring investments, create jobs and deliver innovations that benefit our community. On the other, Hong Kong provides them with the platform, connectivity, finance, talent and professional support to expand internationally and realise their full potential."
He added, "As outlined in this year's Budget, we are advancing our 'AI+' and 'Finance+' strategies to drive development. Under 'AI+', we are accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across industries, and exploring how AI can further empower Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. And through Finance+, we are taking advantage of Hong Kong's IFC (international financial centre) position to empower companies at different stages of development to grow and expand. For example, we are taking forward further reforms to our listing regime to help technology enterprises raise funds."
Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, a newly onboarded strategic enterprise, highlighted Hong Kong's world-class universities, exceptional R&D talent, and innovative drug registration frameworks, such as the "1+" mechanism, as key factors positioning the city as an ideal gateway for pharmaceutical innovation. These unique attributes provide fertile ground for biopharmaceutical development and have encouraged Pfizer to deepen its investment in the region.
Meanwhile, Hygon Information Technology Co Ltd,a leading manufacturer of high-performance Central Processing Unit and Deep Computing Unit with a market valuation exceeding $500 billion, emphasised its plan to utilise Hong Kong as a strategic base to promote the domestic computing ecosystem. By leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages to expand its global reach, Hygon Information aims to empower "new quality productive forces" and drive the high-quality development of the digital economy.
AutoFlight, a global leader in eVTOL technology, stated that Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" between the Chinese Mainland and international markets makes it the ideal gateway for business expansion. The company is committed to advancing the "new industrialisation" and smart mobility objectives outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan by deploying its technology in the city.
Zhuan Spirit Holdings Limited, a leading enterprise in the Chinese Mainland's circular economy, plans to utilise Hong Kong as its global hub to implement core technologies and deepen strategic collaborations. By establishing a benchmark for green innovation and technology, the group aims to drive the development of smart city initiatives and the digital economy, ultimately propelling the Chinese Mainland's circular economy model onto the global stage.
The Director-General of OASES, Mr Peter Yan, said that with half of the new companies coming from abroad, Hong Kong continues to stand out as the premier choice for industry titans despite global complexities. He stated that the strategic enterprises will serve as a powerful engine for economic growth and industry development, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Chinese Mainland and the global stage.
OASES will continue to proactively attract high-potential and representative strategic enterprises and collaborate with government departments to support their development, further reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global innovation hub.
OASES announces new batch of 22 strategic enterprises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
OASES announces new batch of 22 strategic enterprises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
OASES announces new batch of 22 strategic enterprises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
OASES announces new batch of 22 strategic enterprises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
