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
Aptamil Profutura DUO Pre D 800g, Photo source: reference image
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.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Photo source: reference image
