CFS Monitors Lead Levels in Infant Formula Following Recall from Macao Authorities

CFS steps up surveillance of lead content in powdered infant and follow-up formula

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (July 29) that the CFS continues to actively follow up on a case announced earlier by the Macao authority, concerning a batch of powdered infant formula found with lead exceeding its permissible levels.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon learning of the incident earlier, the CFS immediately stepped up the surveillance of powdered infant and follow-up formula. Over the past four days (from July 25 to July 28), the CFS collected over 50 samples of powdered infant and follow-up formula products in the market for lead content testing, including 11 batches of Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 Infant Formula (800g) (see Annex for details). No case exceeding Hong Kong's statutory standard was found, i.e. lead content not exceeding 0.01 milligram per kilogram."

The spokesperson added that the CFS will continue to collect powdered infant and follow-up formula samples in the market for testing, and will closely monitor the development of the incident to fully safeguard food safety.

The spokesperson supplemented that long term excessive exposure to lead in children can lead to neurological impairment and affect brain development. Regarding the individual batch previously recalled (Product name: Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 Infant Formula (800g); Best-before date: September 30, 2027; Batch number: 1W07KPJ), the CFS has deployed officers to inspect various retail outlets to ensure that the affected batch of the product has been removed from shelves to safeguard food safety.

The CFS urged again members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batch of product, and to seek medical treatment if infants or young children who feel unwell after consuming the product concerned. Apart from contacting the Macao authority and informing the trade and relevant departments, the CFS took the initiative earlier to meet with the importer concerned, urging them to properly handle the product recall issue. The importer concerned is currently recalling the affected batch of powdered infant formula. Members of the public can call the importer's hotline at 2280 4731 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The trade should also immediately stop using or selling the affected batch of products.

The CFS has been collecting powdered infant and follow-up formula samples from local retail outlets for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme to safeguard the food safety of infants and young children. From 2023 to July 2026, the CFS has collected over 2 200 powdered infant and follow-up formula samples from the market for chemical and microbiological testing, including lead content tests. No unsatisfactory samples for lead content were found.

The CFS has established a designated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/powdered_formula_lead/index.html) to facilitate public access to more information.

CFS steps up surveillance of lead content in powdered infant and follow-up formula Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS steps up surveillance of lead content in powdered infant and follow-up formula Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 28) and today (July 29) detected three drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport. About 36 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 21kg of suspected cannabis buds and four pieces of suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $19 million were seized. Two men and two women were arrested.

In the first case, a 20-year-old British female passenger and a 20-year-old British male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, United Kingdom, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 36kg of suspected ketamine from their respective check-in suitcase, and four pieces of suspected alternative smoking products on the male passenger. They were subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 25-year-old Malaysian male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds from his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the third case, a 21-year-old local woman arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds from her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 30). Investigations of the first and the third case are ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases