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 noted through its Food Incident Surveillance System that certain batches of Aptamil powdered infant and young children formula are being recalled by certain areas in Europe as the products might contain Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus. The CFS has been highly concerned and actively following up on the incident. Following the announcement earlier that a local trader had imported into Hong Kong and sold one affected batch of the powdered infant formula concerned, the CFS's latest follow-up investigation today (February 6), in response to the latest announcement from Europe, revealed that the trader had imported and distributed another affected batch of the powdered infant formula. For the sake of prudence, the distributor concerned has stopped sales, removed the affected product from shelves and initiated a precautionary recall according to the CFS's instructions.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Aptamil Profutura DUO Advance 1 800g
Brand: Aptamil
Pack size: 800 grams
Place of origin: Germany
Use-by date: April 21, 2027
Distributor: HK Wukong Trading Limited
Quantity imported and distributed: 390 cans
Aptamil Profutura DUO Advance 1 800g
The CFS has found in its follow-up investigation that the abovementioned distributor had imported and distributed 65 boxes of 390 cans of the affected product. The CFS has instructed the importer, distributor and retailers concerned to stop sales and remove the affected batch of the product concerned from shelves 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.
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
