CFS urges public not to consume a kind of French cheese suspected to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 3) urged the public not to consume a kind of cheese imported from France due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Epoisses
Place of origin: France
Manufacturer: Fromages Mons Sas
Importer: FICO International Ltd
Packing: 250 grams per pack
Lot: 18043
Use-by date: May 11, 2018

"The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product tested positive for STEC and is being recalled. According to information provided by the RASFF, a local importer, FICO International Ltd, imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CFS said.

The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer confirmed that it had imported 3 kilograms of the affected product and all of it had been distributed. It has initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2850 4799 during office hours.

"People will contract STEC-causing gastro-intestinal disease through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome may also develop in some people. Moreover, due to poor personal hygiene, person-to-person transmission of this pathogen is possible through the oral-faecal route. E. coli cannot survive under high temperature and can be killed by thorough cooking," the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will closely monitor the case and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is ongoing.
 
 
Ends/Thursday, May 3, 2018