MORE than 120,000 bottles of Heineken export beer destined to slake Hong Kong's thirst will have to be poured away because of a design fault which could leave glass splinters in the bottles.
Yesterday, sales agents were rushing round Hong Kong collecting the suspect 33cl bottles from 1,000 bars, restaurants and shops.
Advertisements are being placed in newspapers today warning anyone who has bought bottles not to drink from them, but to take them to be exchanged.
Possible problems, caused by defective glass which could lead to splinters dropping into the bottles when they are opened or transported, were likely to affect only 1,200 of the 120,000 33cl bottles in Hong Kong, said Eric Nelissen, export manager of Heineken Hong Kong.
He emphasised that the problems were only in the packaging, not the beer itself.
''So far nothing has happened, but there is just no reason to take any chances so we are recalling all the 33cl bottles immediately,'' he said.
''We are very sad about what has happened as it has a negative effect on our brand, though the supply can be replaced with cans and 64cl bottles, which are completely unaffected.'' It is anticipated that the bottles will be destroyed in Hong Kong and the beer will also have to be thrown out.