23rd December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today, 23rd December, that a sample of soft ice cream from NIKUSA, located on the 8th floor of Soundwill Plaza II in Causeway Bay, has been found to exceed legal bacterial limits.
A CFS spokesperson reported that the sample was collected during an investigation linked to a prior food safety incident. Laboratory results revealed an alarming total bacterial count of 160,000 bacteria per gram, significantly surpassing the legal threshold of 50,000 bacteria per gram stipulated under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC).
In response to the findings, the CFS swiftly initiated an investigation at the restaurant, taking additional food samples for further analysis. The establishment has been informed of the irregularities associated with their product. As a precautionary measure, the restaurant has ceased sales of the affected ice cream and has disposed of the product in accordance with CFS recommendations.
The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the restaurant’s management and staff, instructing them to conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection of their facilities. The spokesperson warned that prosecution may follow if sufficient evidence of negligence is established.
The maximum penalties for violations of the frozen confection regulations include fines of up to HK$10,000 and potential imprisonment for three months upon conviction. The CFS emphasised that the elevated bacterial count reflects unsatisfactory hygiene conditions within the food premises.
