Stop consuming a kind of French cheese suspected to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli

Issue Date 3.5.2018
Source of Information

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission
Food Product

A kind of cheese imported from France
Product Name and Description

Product name: Epoisses

Place of origin: France

Manufacturer: Fromages Mons Sas

Importer: FICO International Ltd

Packing: 250 grams per pack

Lot: 18043

Use-by date: May 11, 2018
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the RASFF that the above-mentioned product tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and is being recalled. According to information provided by the RASFF, a local importer, FICO International Ltd, imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer confirmed that it had imported 3 kilograms of the affected product and all of it had been distributed. It has initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice.
  • The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will closely monitor the case and take appropriate follow-up action.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
Further Information

The CFS press release

  • Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2850 4799 during office hours.

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2018-5-3

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