October 03, 1997
The Department of Health (DH) today (Friday) advised the public not to consume a certain batch of Dreyer's ice cream bar as a kind of bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, was detected in that batch of ice cream bars during the Department's routine food surveillance programme.
The batch in question is "Dreyer's" Cookies 'N Cream Ice Cream Bar (88.7 mL) (Batch No. 071835480925) (Expiry date: 30-9-1999) from USA. The bacteria, so far, have not been found in other Dreyer's items.
A spokesman for DH said: "Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can be transmitted through ingestion of raw and contaminated food such as milk, cheese, vegetables and ready-to-eat meat."
"It usually will not cause illness in most people. In others, particularly the young, the old and pregnant women, it may present with fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In more severe cases, it can cause infection of the brain and meningitis. The disease can also cause abortions in pregnant women."
The spokesman said the bacteria were detected in ice cream bars collected from a supermarket for routine bacteriological examination.
The importing agent of the said product had been informed of the result. It had agreed to stop the sale of this batch of ice cream bars immediately and to arrange for the collection of the stock from all stores.
Local retailers are also advised to check their stock and withhold the sale of this batch of ice cream bars pending collection by the importing agent.