The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) on Sunday ordered the recall of a Häagen-Dazs ice cream imported from France, saying it is believed to contain an unauthorised pesticide.

Officials said they were alerted by the European Commission that ethylene oxide had been found in four different sizes of tubs: 75 millilitres, 100ml, 473ml and 9.46 litres.

The best-before dates of the products affected are between July 3, 2022 and July 17, 2023.

"Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned importer has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batches of the products upon the CFS's instructions and has initiated a recall," a spokesman said.

The centre said retailers or restaurants should stop selling or using the affected ice cream immediately, and the public shouldn't consume the product in question.