CFS continues to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continues to actively follow up on the precautionary recall of certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula in different areas worldwide due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. The CFS today (February 2) said that, during its ongoing follow-up investigation, five samples, which were among the 22 batches already recalled and no longer available on the market, tested positive for Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus today, ranging from 0.2 to 1.3 micrograms per kilogram of food.
Product details of the aforementioned three batches are as follows:
(Net weight)
Nestlé Hong Kong had already initiated a recall of the affected batches of the products concerned earlier. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may contact the company through the following channels:
Consumer services hotline: 2599 8874 / 2797 6031 / 2179 8136 (Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm)
Email: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com
WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ® NAN®) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth® Nutrition)
Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink
Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at Dedicated Service Centres of Nestlé Nutrition Services, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the Dedicated Service Centres are as follows:
Kowloon Service Centre
Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)
Contact number: 3996 8196
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)
Hong Kong Service Centre
Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)
Contact number: 3996 8197
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)
Nestlé Hong Kong had already stopped sales and removed the 22 affected batches (including the aforementioned three batches) of products from shelves, and had initiated a precautionary recall earlier. According to Nestlé Hong Kong, as of January 30, about 159 000 cans of affected products had been recalled. The CFS and Nestlé Hong Kong have jointly followed up, marked and sealed 233 000 cans of suspected affected batches of infant and young children formula products, including those kept in warehouse and those already recalled. An additional 16 suspected affected batches are currently en route to Hong Kong and will also be marked and sealed upon arrival.
From January 7 to 4pm on February 2, the FEHD received a total of 48 food complaints and enquiries suspected to be related to the infant and young children formula products. The CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch have promptly followed up on these cases, including contacting the parties concerned to obtain details and collecting samples for testing. In addition, the CFS has referred the cases to the health authority for follow-up.
The CFS has enhanced surveillance of the relevant powdered infant and young children formula. Since January this year, a total of 171 samples have been collected for various microbiological and chemical tests. Together with the five samples announced in the CFS's press release on January 24, a total of 10 samples have so far tested positive for Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus, all were among the 22 batches of Nestlé Hong Kong products that were previously recalled and are no longer available on the market. The test results of the remaining 161 samples were satisfactory. Follow-up investigation by the CFS is still ongoing. In addition, the CFS is pursuing the cases involving samples tested positive for Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus, and will initiate prosecution procedures if sufficient evidence is available.
The CFS will continue to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety. Follow up investigation is ongoing.
Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the 22 affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.
The CFS has established a designated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/powdered_formula/index.html) to facilitate public access to more information.
Source: AI-found images
