Two batches of bottled preserved bean curd suspected to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 4) urged the public not to consume two batches of bottled preserved bean curd following a notification from the Macao authorities that the products concerned were contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The trade should also stop selling the affected batches of the products immediately for the sake of prudence.

Details of the products are as follows:

(1) Product name: Guang Zhong Huang Spicy Fermented Beancurd
Place of origin: China
Best before date: November 10, 2015
Weight: 328 grams

(2) Product name: Shang Biau Sichuan Soya Bean Curd with Sesame Oil
Place of origin: Taiwan
Best before date: August 28, 2016
Weight: 130 grams

"The CFS received notification from the Macao authorities that test results of the above products collected at retail level showed that 'Guang Zhong Huang Spicy Fermented Beancurd' sample and 'Shang Biau Sichuan Soya Bean Curd with Sesame Oil' sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 300 000 per gram and 1 200 000 per gram respectively. According to the product labels, the distributor / sole agent of the products were Hong Kong companies. Hence, the affected batches of the products might have been available for sale in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS is liaising with the companies concerned for further information. The local trade will be informed of the incident and the distribution of the food items in question will be traced," he added.

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 batches of the products, they should stop eating it. They are advised to seek medical advice if they feel sick upon consumption. The CFS has not received any reports of persons feeling unwell after consumption of the affected products in the past three months," the spokesman added.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident closely and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2015