More Haagen-Dazs batches recalled as vanilla deemed pesticide source

Several batches of imported Haagen-Dazs ice cream products that might contain pesticide traces were marked and sealed by the Centre for Food Safety on Saturday.

The affected products are being stored in a warehouse and have not entered the local market.

"The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned products may be contaminated with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorized by the European Union," a center spokesman said.

According to the alert system, the contamination is likely to have originated from the vanilla extract ingredient. The center is currently carrying out an investigation.

Just two days before the products were sealed, the center had ordered retailers to return the affected Haagen-Dazs ice cream in the Belgium chocolate and cookies and cream flavors after also receiving a notification from the alert system.

Similarly, in June, the center announced two kinds of Haagen-Dazs ice cream products imported from France have been removed from supermarket shelves due to pesticide concerns. Three weeks later, four more Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream products were deemed problematic for the same reason.

All products were made in France and imported by General Mills Hong Kong.

Ethylene oxide, used to kill insects and mice, poses health risks to humans. The pesticide has been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization and exposure to it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, breathing difficulties and even death.

Also, long-term exposure will increase the risk of blood and breast cancer.

Haagen-Dazs has apologized for the incident, emphasizing that safety is its first priority and ethylene oxide is not used in its manufacturing process.

The newly identified contaminated products are the Vanilla Caramel Brownie Ice Cream (9.46 liters); Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Ice Cream family pack (420 milliliters); Vanilla & Raspberry Ice Cream family pack (420ml) and bar (95ml); Milk Tea with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream family pack (420ml), mini cup (95ml) and bar (80ml); Vanilla & Mango Passion Fruit mini cup (95ml); and Vanilla Caramel Almond bar (80 ml).