CFS urges public not to consume a kind of French raw milk cheese suspected to be contaminated with E.coli (O26)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 17) urged the public not to consume a kind of raw milk cheese imported from France and the import into and sale in Hong Kong of that kind of cheese had also been suspended with immediate effect as the product might have been contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) (O26). The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
 
Details of the product are as follows:
 
Product name: Fromage AOP reblochon laitier au lait cru (Reblochon raw milk cheese AOP)
Place of origin: France
Manufacturer: FROMAGERIES CHABERT
Packing: 450g per pack
Lots: Lot numbers starting with 8CR
Sanitary mark: FR 74. 096. 050 CE – with red round casein
 
"The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product might have been contaminated with E. coli (O26) and is being recalled. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import and sale in Hong Kong of the concerned product," a spokesman for the CFS said.
 
The spokesman said that according to information provided by the RASFF, a local importer, Silco International Limited, had imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong. The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer confirmed that it had imported 2.4 kilograms of the affected product and all 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 2764 3632 during office hours.
 
"People will contract E. coli 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 has informed the French authorities concerned of the import suspension and will alert the trade to the incident. It will continue to closely monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is underway.
 
Ends
 
Ends/Thursday, May 17, 2018