Can't say cheese to this cake and those Cadburys

(Xinhua/Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-03 08:58

The Center for Food Safety of Hong Kong (CFS) on Wednesday released the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products, in which the sample of Lotte Cream Cheese Cake was found unsatisfactory.

Results of the latest tests showed that of the 78 samples tested, 77 were satisfactory. These included nutrition supplement for hospital use; imported milk beverages, baby food, ice-cream, cream, cakes, biscuits, cookies and raw milk; and locally produced buns.

The sample found unsatisfactory is Lotte Cream Cheese Cake (Net weight: 27.5g x 6 pieces, Best Before Date: 17.7.2009). The level of melamine detected is 3.4 ppm.

"We have informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the product with unsatisfactory result. We have also sent warning letters to the importer and retailer concerned, and the importer would recall the affected product. The CFS would take out prosecution if there is sufficient evidence," a spokesman for the CFS said.

Under the Hong Kong Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008, the legal limit for melamine in the cream cheese cake is 2.5 ppm.

"Based on the level detected, the public is advised to stop consuming the product concerned," the spokesman said.

"So far, we have tested about 230 locally produced and overseas imported frozen confection samples and they are all satisfactory. We have also begun to test nutrition supplements for hospital use and so far all the 10 samples tested have been found satisfactory. We will continue to collect samples of dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing.

"Test results for some buns, chocolates, soya drinks, yogurt drinks, milk and milk beverages, ice-cream, instant drink mixes will be available soon," the spokesman added.

In another development, Hong Kong's food safety watchdog said that the level of melamine in Cadbury products was safe, after the British sweet maker recalled 11 of its China-made chocolates.

Cadbury recalled the product lines from Australia and Hong Kong after they found traces of the industrial chemical, which has led to thousands of babies falling ill in China.

The CFS said they had tested Cadbury products after the recall. "Results available ... showed that all the samples were satisfactory," the CFS said in a statement.

The CFS said Cadbury Chocolate Eclairs had been found to contain a melamine level of 1.9 parts per million. The acceptable legal limit is 2.5 parts per million in Hong Kong.

The company said on Monday it had found traces of melamine and was withdrawing the products made at its Beijing plant as a precautionary measure after internal tests "cast doubt" on their safety.

The eleven kinds of Cadbury-brand candies have been pulled out from shops in Beijing, the Beijing Times reported on Wednesday.

A saleswoman with Carrefour's outlet in Guangqumen, Beijing, confirmed they were told to remove from the shelves but not recall all Cadbury products and seal them.