Hong Kong Customs Seizes 44 Live Lizards, 41 Likely Endangered, Valued at $115,000

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs seized 44 live lizards at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (February 2), of which 41 were suspected to be scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $115,000.

Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an incoming lorry at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. After inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of live lizards was wrapped in cloth and concealed inside some laptop bags in the lorry. They were suspected to be scheduled endangered species.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS urges public not to consume batch of powdered infant formula

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 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 3) said it earlier noted through its Food Incident Surveillance System that certain batches of Aptamil powdered infant and young children formula are being recalled by the German authority as the products might contain Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus. The CFS has been very concerned about the incident, and has followed up immediately, including contacting the local importers, retailers and relevant authorities, as well as inspecting retail outlets in the market. The CFS has earlier published a food incident post online to inform the public and the trade of the incident. According to the latest investigation result today, a local retailer had sold a small quantity of one affected batch of the powdered infant formula concerned. For the sake of prudence, the retailer concerned has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected product and has initiated a precautionary recall according to the CFS's instructions.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Aptamil Profutura DUO Pre D 800g

Brand: Aptamil

Pack size: 800 grams

Place of origin: Germany

Quantity imported: 54 cans

Use-by date: April 20, 2027

Retailer: Baby HK

A preliminary investigation by the CFS revealed that relevant importer had imported nine boxes of 54 cans of the product concerned, among which 34 cans had been distributed. The CFS has instructed the retailer concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product concerned and to initiate a recall. Moreover, the CFS has marked and sealed 20 cans of remaining stock of the product. Members of the public may call the retailer's hotline at 3586 1399 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

The CFS will continue to enhance surveillance of powdered infant and young children formula and to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety. The CFS has alerted the trade and relevant department over the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. 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 CFS urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batch of the product, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the product concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product 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