CFS finds excessive Bacillus cereus in sample of iron goddess basque burnt cheesecake
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 20) announced that a sample of iron goddess basque burnt cheesecake was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. The CFS is following up on the incident.
The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a bakery in Causeway Bay for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 280 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory."
The CFS instantly sent staff to the bakery concerned for an investigation, and has informed it of the irregularity. The bakery concerned has stopped selling and discarded the affected product according to the CFS's instruction. The CFS has also provided education on food safety and hygiene to the staff of the bakery concerned, and requested that they carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.
"Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea," the spokesman said.
According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Photo source: online image
Police conduct anti-illegal gambling operation during 2026 FIFA World Cup
Police conducted a territory-wide anti-illegal gambling operation codenamed “CROWBEAK” cum “WINDSHIELD” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July. During the operation, Police arrested 991 people and seized over $365 million in betting records, as well as over $7.4 million in cash and assets.
During the operation, Police raided 249 premises suspected of being linked to illegal gambling activities and arrested 991 people (645 males and 346 females, aged between 16 and 93) for offences including “engaging in bookmaking”, “promoting or facilitating bookmaking”, “betting with a bookmaker”, “operating illegal gambling establishments”, “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as “money laundering”), etc.
Police seized suspected crime proceeds comprising about $3 million in cash and $4.4 million worth of valuables. Additionally, 43 computers and 443 mobile phones suspected of facilitating bookmaking activities were seized. The aggregate value of betting records uncovered in the operation was $365 million.
Moreover, on the education front, Police conducted a series of preventive education campaigns under the theme “Stay Away from Illegal Gambling”, including:
• promoting anti-illegal gambling messages via media and online channels, including producing a promotional video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDaXOZv6TA);
• broadcasting promotional videos, distributing leaflets and displaying posters at entertainment venues and strategic locations in various districts; and
• collaborating closely with the communities, schools, government departments and other organisations to enhance the promotion of anti-illegal gambling messages through various channels.
Police appeal to the public that in accordance with the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), anyone who bets with a bookmaker commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and nine months’ imprisonment on conviction. Anyone who engages in bookmaking, or promotes or facilitates bookmaking, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and seven years’ imprisonment on conviction. A person would still be liable to the offences even if the gambling website is hosted overseas yet he/she engaged in its operation in Hong Kong.
Source: AI-found images
