CFS instructs trade to suspend import of ByHeart powdered infant formula with possible contamination of Clostridium botulinum
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 20) said that, in view of the latest announcement by the manufacturer of ByHeart powdered infant formula yesterday (November 19) that Clostridium botulinum was found in unopened cans of ByHeart powdered infant formula, while no affected products were available for sale in Hong Kong, the CFS has immediately implemented precautionary measures and instructed the trade to suspend import of the relevant ByHeart powdered infant formula.
Photo source: The official website of ByHeart
The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted notices issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the United State (US) earlier that ByHeart powdered infant formula is being voluntarily recalled due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with major local importers and retailers. Investigation found that the affected products had not been put on sale in Hong Kong. Earlier the CFS has also published food incident post to remind the public and the trade.
Product details of the affected powdered infant formula are as follows:
Product names:
(1) ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans
(2) ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula Anywhere Pack™
Brand: ByHeart
Place of origin: US
Batch: All batches and packages
The spokesman said, "Although the US manufacturer concerned has initiated a recall of the affected products, for the sake of prudence, the CFS urges travellers to immediately stop consuming the affected products if they have bought any of them."
Infant botulism is caused by the ingestion of the Clostridium botulinum spores that germinate and grow in the intestine of infants and release toxin. A very small amount of toxin can cause illness. The onset of symptoms generally follows a period of normal development. Early symptom is constipation, followed by poor feeding, lethargy, weakness, pooled oral secretions, and wail or altered cry. Loss of head control is striking. Infant botulism ranges from mild illness with gradual onset to sudden infant death. While most cases require hospitalisation, fatal cases are rare (case fatality rate less than 1 per cent).
"The CFS has contacted the US authorities over the incident and will continue to closely monitor information issued by the relevant authorities and take appropriate action. Follow-up work is ongoing," the spokesman said.
The Centre for Food Safety
Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses
Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.
To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.
Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.
Source: AI-found images
