The Hong Kong Police will distribute an advisory notice to retailers and eateries starting from tomorrow (June 4) to remind those which are still selling Red Bull products to stop doing so now as a matter of precaution, since some of the samples from Austria and the United Kingdom were found to contain traces of cocaine. They may consider returning the products to their suppliers.
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong said, "Cocaine is a dangerous drug regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). The possession of the drug is a criminal offence, the maximum penalty of which is seven years imprisonment and a fine of HK$1 million."
Government would like to reiterate that it is the food manufacturers' and traders' responsibilities to ensure that their products are free of dangerous drugs.
Government met with representatives of Red Bull Hong Kong Office today. The latter undertook to provide comprehensive product information, lot and serial numbers and samples for testing in order to establish whether the existence of traces of cocaine in some samples is a systemic issue or whether it relates to any particular lot or serial number.
As for consumers, all indications are that they are not using the Red Bull products as dangerous drugs. No prosecution is intended. But as cocaine is a dangerous drug and some samples of Red Bull products have been found to contain traces of it, consumers are advised not to buy or consume the products concerned for the time being. Meanwhile, they may approach the retailers from which they bought the products for return arrangements.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government :
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200906/03/P200906030325.htm