CFS Issues Urgent Recall of Contaminated Aptamil Infant Formula Due to Bacillus cereus Risk

CFS continues to follow up powdered infant formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus

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 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 and actively following up on the incident. Following the announcement yesterday (February 3) that a local retailer had sold a small quantity of one affected batch of the powdered infant formula concerned, the CFS's latest follow-up investigation today (February 4) revealed that another trader had imported and distributed the same affected batch of powdered infant formula as announced yesterday.

Product details are as follows (same product as announced for recall yesterday):

Product name: Aptamil Profutura DUO Pre D 800g

Brand: Aptamil

Pack size: 800 grams

Place of origin: Germany

Use-by date: April 20, 2027

Distributor: HK Wukong Trading Limited

Quantity imported and distributed: 180 cans

The CFS has found in its follow-up investigation that the above-mentioned distributor had imported and distributed 30 boxes of 180 cans of the affected product. The CFS has instructed the importer, distributor and retailer concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product concerned and to initiate a recall. Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 6426 1511 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Moreover, the CFS is also actively following up on Nestlé company's recall of a batch of Guigoz Optipro Relais 1 powdered infant formula. The CFS has immediately contacted local importer, Nestlé Hong Kong, and a preliminary investigation revealed that Nestlé Hong Kong has not imported nor sold the affected batch of the Guigoz product concerned. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the progress of the incident. Follow-up actions are ongoing.

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.

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

CHP investigates two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 4) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters affecting a total of six persons. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The clusters involve two males and four females aged between 29 and 35. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea and fever about 11 to 37 hours after having dinner at Chef's Cuts located at Shop No. 201, 2/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, Kowloon, on January 30.

One of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation.All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that raw oyster was the food item that the affected individuals had in common at the aforementioned restaurant. Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) conducted an investigation and examined the handling processes and food hygiene at the restaurant. Food samples were also collected for testing. The CFS's field investigation revealed that the affected persons may have contracted food poisoning from consuming raw food. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend serving the incriminated food items and to carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.

The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:

Avoid eating raw seafood;

Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;

Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;

Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;

Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;

Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;

Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;

Drink boiled water;

Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children, are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;

Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and

Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Source: AI-found images