Consumers urged not to consume three kinds of protein bar suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 16) urged the public not to consume three kinds of prepackaged protein bar imported from the United States, as the products might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States about the recall of five kinds of protein bar produced by Bulletproof 360, Inc. as the products might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The CFS immediately contacted major local retailers for follow up. Preliminary investigation by the CFS found that a shop in Central, THE STORE.COM.HK, has imported and sold three kinds of the affected products."

Details of the products are as follows:

Product Name: Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein Bar
Brand: Bulletproof
Country of Origin: United States
Net Weight: 1.58 ounces (45 grams) per bar
Use-by Date: November 14, 2017

Product Name: Lemon Cookie Collagen Protein Bar
Brand: Bulletproof
Country of Origin: United States
Net weight: 1.58 ounces (45 grams) per bar
Use-by Date: November 8, 2017

Product Name: Vanilla Shortbread Collagen Protein Bar
Brand: Bulletproof
Country of Origin: United States
Net Weight: 1.58 ounces (45 grams) per bar
Use-by Date: November 15, 2017

The CFS has contacted the shop concerned which has already stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected batch of the products, and initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the company's hotline at 6126 3333 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged consumers who have bought the affected batch of the products not to consume them. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

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

Ends/Friday, June 16, 2017