Category Archives: CFS

Hong Kong – Imported Clotted cream samples detected with total bacterial count exceeding legal limit

Posted on October 17, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 16) that samples of prepackaged pasteurized Cornish clotted cream imported from the United Kingdom (UK) were detected with total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit. The affected batch of product has been marked and sealed, and has not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the incident.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Cornish Clotted Cream
Brand: M&S
Place of origin: UK
Sole importer: Alf Retail Hong Kong Limited
Packing: 227 grams per pack
Use-by date: October 18, 2024

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the total bacterial count of the samples were 620,400, 1,128,000 and 1,504,000 per milliliter respectively. According to the Milk Regulation (Cap 132 AQ), milk after heat treatment by means of pasteurisation should not contain more than 30,000 bacteria per millilitre.

The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. An investigation revealed that the affected batch of the product is still stored in the importer’s warehouse. It has not entered the local market. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer. Other types of similar products of the same brand being sold in the market are not affected.

The spokesman said that the total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean it would lead to food poisoning.

The CFS has informed the British authorities of the incident, and will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Center for Food Safety, CFS, food recall, product recall, Recall

Hong Kong – Do not consume a batch of fruit jam with possible presence of Mould

Posted on September 11, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 10.9.2024
Source of Information The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission
Food Product Fruit jam
Product Name and Description Product name: Double Fruit Spread Garden Strawberry (70% Fruit) [Naturrein 70% Fruchtreich Garden Erdbeere]

Brand: Darbo

Place of origin: Austria

Net weight: 200 grams

Best-before date: June 21, 2026

Batch/lot number: 0422616 – L 173 4

Importer: Goodwell Sam Cheong Grocery Company Limited
Reason For Issuing Alert The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product might contain mould and is being recalled.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of product concerned.

For the sake of prudence, the importer concerned has stopped sales, has removed the affected product from shelves and has initiated a recall according to the CFS’s instructions.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
Further Information The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the importer’s hotline at 3972 8980 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Enclosed photo is for reference only.Example of product affected for reference only

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Posted in CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Food Toxin, mold, Mold/ MouldAscospores, Mould/Mold, Visible Mould/Mold

Hong Kong – CFS found excessive Vibrio parahaemolyticus in sample of clam in preserved fish sauce.

Posted on September 6, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov HK

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (September 5) that it is actively following up on food poisoning clusters involving clam in preserved fish sauce, including inspecting the food premises concerned. A sample of clam in preserved fish sauce collected from the food premises concerned was found to contain an excessive amount of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The CFS is following up on the case.

“Upon notification by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health earlier, the CFS immediately sent staff to the food premises concerned in Mong Kok to conduct an investigation and collected a sample of clam in preserved fish sauce and sent to laboratory for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Vibrio parahaemolyticus at a level of 1 400 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Vibrio parahaemolyticus at a level of more than 1 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory,” a CFS spokesman said.

The CFS has informed the food premises concerned of the irregularity. The food premises concerned have already stopped selling and discarded the affected product according to the CFS’s advice. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the food premises concerned, and requested that they review and improve the food production process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.

According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, imported or locally produced, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

“Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a common bacterium that can cause food poisoning, is naturally present in seawater and often found in seafood. Food poisoning caused by this pathogenic bacterium is usually associated with consumption of undercooked or raw seafood, in particular shellfish, or improperly handled food that is contaminated with bacteria. Common symptoms of food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, including diarrhoea, vomiting, mild fever and abdominal pain, usually occur within one or two days after consumption of contaminated food. Recovery is usually within a few days. Nonetheless, children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weaker immune system are more likely to develop severe symptoms,” the spokesman said.

​The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Thursday, September 5, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:26

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Posted in CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Hong Kong – Roving Exhibitions on Food Safety in 2024

Posted on August 1, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Date Time Venue Theme
7/8 10am – 4pm Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre 5 Keys for Food Safety, Control of Food Temperature; Natural Toxins
 14/8 10am – 4pm Scenic View Nutrition Labelling, Prevention of Cross-contamination; Natural Toxins
 16/8 10am – 4pm Trade and Industry Tower 5 Keys for Food Safety, Veterinary Drug Residues; Trans Fats
21/8 10am – 4pm To Kwa Wan Market Nutrition Labelling, Genetically Modified Food; Trans Fats
28/8 10am – 4pm Lockhart Road Market Nutrition Labelling, Control of Food Temperature; Prevention of Cross-contamination

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Posted in CFS, Food Microbiology Research, Research

Hong Kong – Imported goat cheese sample suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on July 30, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 27) that a sample of goat cheese imported from France was detected with possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen. The concerned batch of the product has not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the incident.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Ste Maure Touraine AOP Blister
Brand: Fromagerie Pierre Jacquin & Fils
Place of origin: France
Importer: Noja Fine Trade Limited
Pack size: 250 gram
Best before date : August 19, 2024
Lot number: J41920018

“The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned batch of product might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and is being recalled. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer for follow-up. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. Investigation revealed that the affected batch of product is still stored in the importer’s warehouse and has not entered the local market,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

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Posted in CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

Hong Kong – Do not consume a batch of bottled preserved bean curd due to excessive level of Bacillus cereus

Posted on July 17, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 16.7.2024
Source of Information Food Surveillance Programme, Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Bottled preserved bean curd
Product Name and Description Product name: 廖孖記衛生腐乳王(Not available in English)

Place of origin: Hong Kong

Net weight: 255 grams

Best-before date: August 7, 2025

Manufacturer: LIU MA KEE LIMITED
Reason For Issuing Alert The CFS announced earlier that a sample of bottled preserved bean curd collected under its routine Food Surveillance Programme from a retail outlet in Sai Ying Pun was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. When following up on the incident, the CFS further collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Yau Ma Tei on July 9 for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 1 300 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed the vendor to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The manufacturer concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’s instructions.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
Further Information The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the hotline of the manufacturer at 2730 2968 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing

Hong Kong – CFS finds excessive Bacillus cereus in sample of bottled preserved bean curd

Posted on July 8, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 4) announced that a sample of bottled preserved bean curd was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: (Not available in English)
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Net weight: 255 grams
Best-before date: April 16, 2025
Manufacturer: LIU MA KEE LIMITED

“The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Sai Ying Pun for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 130 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed the vendor to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The manufacturer concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call the manufacturer’s hotline at 2730 2968 during office hours for enquiries about the product recall. The CFS has also inspected the food factory concerned, provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the food factory, and requested it to review and improve the food production process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. In addition, the sample did not indicate the best-before date according to the requirements stipulated in the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W). Prosecution will be instituted against the persons concerned should there be sufficient evidence.

“Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing

Hong Kong – Roving Exhibitions on Food Safety in 2024

Posted on July 4, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Date Time Venue Theme
3/7 10am – 4pm  Hung Hom Market 5 Keys for Food Safety, Prevention of Cross-contamination; Organic Food
 12/7 10am – 4pm  Wo Che Plaza 5 Keys for Food Safety, Prevention of Cross-contamination; Enhance Food Traceability, Strengthen Food Safety
 17/7 10am – 4pm  Manhattan Hill Nutrition Labelling, Control of Food Temperature; Natural Toxins
19/7 10am – 4pm Tsuen Wan Government Offices  Nutrition Labelling, Pesticide Residues; Trans Fats
24/7 10am – 4pm  New Wan Chai Market 5 Keys for Food Safety, Prevention of Cross-contamination; Enhance Food Traceability, Strengthen Food Safety
31/7 10am – 4pm  Luen Wo Hui Market  Nutrition Labelling, Prevention of Cross-contamination; Ciguatoxins

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Posted in CFS, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, Online Food Safety

Hong Kong – Do not consume a batch of bottled preserved bean curd due to excessive level of Bacillus cereus

Posted on June 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 11.6.2024
Source of Information Food Surveillance Programme, Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Bottled preserved bean curd
Product Name and Description Product name: Preserved Beancurd

Brand: Yuet Wo

Place of origin: China

Net weight: 12 ounces

Best-before date: May 30, 2025

Distributor: Yuet Wo Sauce And Preserved Fruits Limited
Reason For Issuing Alert The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 130,000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100,000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed the vendor to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’s instructions.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
Further Information The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the hotline of the distributor at 2492 3354 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Centre for Food Safety

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, CFS, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing

Research – Recorded outbreaks jump in Hong Kong in 2023

Posted on April 5, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of outbreaks almost doubled in Hong Kong in 2023 compared to the year before.

Officials reviewed food poisoning outbreaks related to food premises and businesses reported to the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in 2023.

CFS and the Department of Health are responsible for investigating and controlling outbreaks related to local food premises.

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Posted in CFS, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak