CFS finds excessive Bacillus cereus in follow-up sample of bottled preserved bean curd
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 16) announced that a follow-up 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: August 7, 2025
Manufacturer: LIU MA KEE LIMITED
"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," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The spokesman stated that despite previous instructions to the manufacturer, the result of the follow-up sample has remained unsatisfactory. 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.
Earlier 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. Prosecution will be instituted 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.
Source: AI-generated images
DH urges members of public to maintain hygiene amid increasing local activity of hand, foot and mouth disease
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 14) reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene, given the significant increase in local hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) activity recently, to prevent infection. The CHP will issue letters to schools today, updating them on the latest situation regarding HFMD. Schools and institutions should report any outbreak to the CHP immediately.
The CHP's latest surveillance data showed a gradual increase in the number of HFMD outbreaks in institutions and schools, from eight (affecting 27 persons) per week in mid-September (September 13 to 19), to 12 outbreaks (affecting 41 persons), 11 outbreaks (affecting 26 persons), and 20 outbreaks (affecting 48 persons) per week in the past three weeks (i.e. September 20 to 26, September 27 to October 3, and October 4 to 10 respectively). During the first three days of this week (October 11 to 13), nine outbreaks affecting 24 persons have been reported. Ninety per cent of the outbreaks occurred in Child Care Centres/Kindergartens and primary schools.
Additionally, the CHP's sentinel surveillance based at Child Care Centres/Kindergartens indicated a significant increase in HFMD activity over the past week.
HFMD is a common disease in children caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. HFMD occurs throughout the year in Hong Kong, with the usual peak occurring from May to July and October to December. Institutions have higher chances to encounter outbreaks as HFMD can spread more easily among young children with more close contact. As there has been an increase in HFMD activity, the CHP reminded parents that they should stay alert to the health condition of their young children.
Most HFMD patients have mild symptoms, and the disease usually begins with fever, poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. Painful sores may develop in the mouth one to two days after the onset of fever and then often become ulcers. Most patients recover on their own in seven to 10 days.
The CHP reminded schools that they are required to follow theGuidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Schools/Kindergartens/Kindergartens-cum-Child Care Centres/Child Care Centreson preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP as soon as possible for follow-up. Management of venues with play facilities should refer to the CHP'sPublic Health Advice for Play Facilitieson appropriate infection control in activities involving young children under6 during the peak season of HFMD.
Moreover, alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses causing HFMD, for example, EV71.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public (especially those in the management of schools and institutions) should take heed of the following preventive measures:
- Maintain good air circulation;
- Keep hands clean and wash hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after going to the toilet, when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing, or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
- Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry;
- Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry;
- Avoid going to overcrowded places;
- Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rashes have subsided and all vesicles have dried and crusted; and
- Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of sick children.
The CHP's weekly publication, EV SCAN, is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. Members of the public may also visit the CHP'spagefor more information onHFMD and EV71 infection.
Source: AI-found images
