Bottled preserved bean curd contaminated with Bacillus cereus

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 22) urged the public not to consume a batch of bottled preserved bean curd which has been contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The trade should also stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Yummy House Wet Bean Curd
Place of origin: China
Best before date: August 29, 2016
Total net weight: 280 grams per bottle

"The sample was collected at a shop in Sha Tin for testing under the CFS' regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 260 000 per gram. The CFS will inform the vendor concerned of the test result, instruct the vendor to stop the sale of the food concerned, and trace the source and distribution of the food item in question," a CFS spokesman said.

According to the "Microbiological Guidelines for Food", it is potentially injurious to health or unfit for human consumption if a gram of ready-to-eat food contains more than 100 000 of Bacillus cereus.

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 may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

"If consumers have bought and still possess the affected batch of the product, they should stop eating it. They are advised to seek medical advice if they feel sick upon consumption," the spokesman added.

The CFS will inform the Mainland authorities and the local trade, continue to investigate and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2015