Hong Kong – *(Updated on 4 June 2018) Not to consume a kind of French raw milk cheese suspected to be contaminated with E.coli (O26)

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the RASFF that the above-mentioned product might have been contaminated with E. coli (O26) and is being recalled.
•  According to information provided by the RASFF, a local importer, Silco International Limited, had imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong. The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer confirmed that it had imported 2.4 kilograms of the affected product and all had been distributed. It has initiated a recall according to the CFS’ advice.

*Updated on 21 May 2018

• CFS’ further investigation and the RASFF of the European Commission’s latest notification revealed that two more local importers, City Super Limited and Culina (HK) Ltd, had previously imported and sold the affected cheese.

*Updated on 4 June 2018

• CFS’ further investigation and the latest information provided by the French authorities revealed that the product recall was extended to cover four other kinds of raw milk cheese which might be contaminated with E. coli (O26) and were manufactured by three processing plants.

• For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import and sale in Hong Kong of the concerned product.
•  The CFS has informed the French authorities concerned of the import suspension and will alert the trade to the incident. It will continue to closely monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is underway.

*Updated on 21 May 2018

• The importers concerned had removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected product. They have initiated a recall according to the CFS’ instructions.
• The CFS will alert the trade to the incident. It will continue to closely monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is on-going.

*Updated on 4 June 2018

• For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import and sale in Hong Kong of all raw milk cheese products manufactured by the three plants.
• The CFS immediately contacted major local importers and retailers for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that the above products have not been imported into Hong Kong. The CFS has also enhanced surveillance on raw milk cheese products imported from France. All results are satisfactory.
• The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident. It will continue to closely monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is on-going.

• Stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

• Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.

• The CFS press release
• Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer’s hotline at 2764 3632 during office hours.

*Updated on 21 May 2018

• The CFS press release (19 May 2018)
• Enquiries about the recall can be made to the City Super Limited’s hotline at 2736 3866 and Culina (HK) Ltd’s hotline at 2342 3221 during office hours.

Updated on 4 June 2018

The CFS press release (4 June 2018)