Antibiotic (metronidazole) found in honey sample

Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Bottled honey

Product: Winter Honey

Brand: Select

Distributor: PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited

Net weight: 1 kilogram per bottle

Best-before date: January 10, 2023

• The CFS collected the above-mentioned honey sample from a supermarket in Yuen Long for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained metronidazole at a level of 3.3 micrograms per kg.
• According to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), residues of metronidazole or its metabolites may cause significant health concerns, and competent authorities should prevent residues of metronidazole in food.

• The CFS has notified the vendor concerned of the test result and instructed it to stop selling the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has also initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product according to the CFS's instruction.
• The CFS is tracing the source and distribution of the food in question. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
• The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

Members of the public may call its hotline at 2606 8658 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product.

The CFS press release