What happened
On August 30, 2026, Junlebao Dairy Group issued an explanation about a batch of 1-liter UHT pure milk sampled by Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety. The company said it completed a full review of production, factory release, export, and storage processes.
The review found that the batch, produced on May 7, 2026, met company inspection standards before leaving the factory and complied with both mainland and Hong Kong regulations. Shijiazhuang Customs Technical Center later tested retained samples and confirmed the product met Hong Kong standards.
Junlebao said the abnormal test result was caused by improper handling during loading and unloading at a Hong Kong warehouse, which damaged some cartons and compromised their seals. The entire batch was sealed in the importer's warehouse and did not enter the market.
Why it matters
The incident involved a batch exclusively for the Hong Kong market, where Junlebao has been expanding its presence. The company is also preparing for a Hong Kong IPO, making quality control and public trust critical.
Hong Kong's food safety authority noted that while the colony count exceeded legal standards, it does not necessarily indicate food poisoning. Junlebao's explanation shifts the issue to logistics rather than production, which is important for protecting its brand reputation.
The company has apologized and pledged stricter quality control across its supply chain, underlining how seriously it views food safety incidents in a major export market.
Key facts
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety reported the test result on August 26, 2026.
The batch was produced on May 7, 2026, and was in warehouse storage when sampled, not in market circulation.
Junlebao said improper warehouse handling caused product damage, leading to the abnormal sample.
Retained samples tested by Shijiazhuang Customs Technical Center passed Hong Kong standards, according to a report issued on August 30.
The affected product was exclusively for Hong Kong and was not sold in other markets.
What to watch next
Whether Hong Kong authorities accept Junlebao's explanation and whether any further regulatory measures follow.
How this incident affects Junlebao's Hong Kong IPO plans, given the company submitted updated listing materials on August 20.
Whether Junlebao implements new logistics or packaging safeguards to prevent similar issues in future shipments.