Hong Kong – A kind of chilled raw beef product from US suspected to be contaminated with E. coli (O157:H7)

Place of origin: US

Packer: Aurora Packing Company, Inc.

Importer: Yata Limited

Use-by-dates: May 7 to 13, 2019

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the US authorities concerned that raw beef products might have been contaminated with E. coli (O157:H7) and are being recalled.
• Preliminary investigation by the CFS found that the above-mentioned local importer was suspected to have imported the affected product into Hong Kong.

• The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned.
• Follow-up investigation confirmed that the importer had imported around 150 kilograms of the above affected product. All had been sold out at its outlets.
• The importer has initiated a recall according to the CFS’ advice.
• The CFS will continue to monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action.

• Stop selling the affected product.

• Members of the public should stop consuming the product concerned immediately if they have bought it.
• People can contract E. coli through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods, resulting in gastro-intestinal diseases. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome may also develop in some people.
• Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer’s hotline at 2694 1111 during office hours.