Hong Kong-made ice cream recalled after being found to contain excessive levels of coliform bacteria associated with faeces

An sample from a local brand of ice cream was found to contain an excessive level of coliform bacteria, leading to a recall of some batches.

The Centre for Food Safety announced that chocolate ice cream from Fruttato Gelato – in a 60ml size with a July 2, 2016, use-by date – was found to contain 260 counts of coliform per gram, exceeding the legal limit of 100.

The centre received a report from the mainland’s State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine through its routine food surveillance system, stating that coliform counts of Fruttato ice cream imported from Hong Kong exceeded its standard.

Hong Kong food safety authorities later collected samples from the brand’s production plant in Kwai Chung for testing, and found excessive levels of coliform.

Coliform bacteria is defined as being '... universally present in large numbers in the faeces of warm-blooded animals.'

A spokesman for the centre said the condition meant the product was in unsatisfactory hygienic condition but did not mean consumption would lead to food poisoning.