A Causeway Bay ice cream vendor faces prosecution after a sample of ice cream was found to contain excessive bacteria and coliform.
Centre for Food Safety tests showed the total bacterial count of the sample was 9.3 million per gram and the coliform count was 3,900 per gram.
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation, each gram of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria or more than 100 coliform organisms. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment.
The centre said test results indicated the vendor's hygiene conditions were unsatisfactory, but that did not mean eating the ice cream would lead to food poisoning.
The vendor concerned has voluntarily stopped sale of the affected ice-cream. To ensure food safety and safeguard public health, follow-up samples will be taken for testing once the vendor resumes supply of the affected ice cream.