Milk sample fails hygiene test, contaminated batch seized before sale
Hong Kong's food safety authority found a pre-packaged milk sample exceeded legal colony count limits. The affected batch of Meadows UHT skimmed milk from Australia was seized at the importer's warehouse and did not reach the market.
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on 11 November 2026 that a pre-packaged milk sample had a colony count exceeding legal standards. The affected batch has been sealed and did not enter the market. The centre is following up on the incident.
The product in question is Meadows brand ultra-high temperature processed skimmed milk, originating from Australia. Each carton has a volume of 1 litre and a best-before date of 29 May 2027. The importer is Milk Company Limited, while the manufacturer was not named in Chinese.
A centre spokesman said the sample was taken at the import level under the regular food monitoring programme. Test results showed the sample contained ten or more colony-forming units, exceeding the standard set under the Dairy Industry Regulations. The spokesman added that an elevated colony count indicates unsatisfactory hygiene conditions but does not necessarily imply food poisoning. The centre has informed the importer of the violation.
An investigation found that the affected batch remained in the importer's warehouse and was not distributed to retailers. The centre will temporarily revoke the import permit previously issued to the importer for selling this product. Other batches of the same brand currently on sale are not affected.