CFS urges public not to consume prepackaged flour with possible E. coli contamination

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 28) urged the public not to consume a kind of prepackaged flour imported from the United States (US) as the product might have been contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli). The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS earlier advised the public to stop consuming and the trade to stop selling a number of batches of prepackaged flour produced by an American manufacturer, General Mills Inc, as the products, which had been imported into Hong Kong, might be contaminated with E. coli. The CFS found in further investigations that a local importer, City Super Limited, had imported another batch of the affected products."

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Gold Medal Unbleached Flour
Net weight: 5 pounds per pack
Use-by date: August 14, 2017

The spokesman noted that according to the information provided by the importer, the import quantity of the affected product was 48 packs, which were distributed only to its supermarket chain, with 11 packs being sold. The importer concerned has already stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected product earlier and surrendered the remaining stock to the CFS for disposal. It has also initiated a recall according to the instructions of the CFS. Members of the public may call the company's hotline at 2736 3866 for enquiries during office hours about the recall.

People will contract E. coli causing gastro-intestinal infection through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) may also develop in some people. Moreover, due to poor personal hygiene, person-to-person transmission of this pathogen is possible through oral-faecal route. E. coli cannot survive under high temperature and can be killed by thorough cooking. People should refrain from consuming any raw dough or batter products.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, July 28, 2016