Food Surveillance Programme, Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Bottled preserved bean curd

Product name: 廖孖記衛生腐乳王 (Not available in English)
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Net weight: 255 grams
Best-before date: April 16, 2025
Manufacturer: LIU MA KEE LIMITED

• The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Sai Ying Pun for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 130 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.
• In addition, the sample did not indicate the best-before date according to the requirements stipulated in the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W).
• 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 or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

• lThe CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed the vendor to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The manufacturer concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS's instructions. 
• The CFS has also inspected the food factory concerned, provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the food factory, and requested it to review and improve the food production process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. 
• The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

• The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

• Not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought any.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the manufacturer's hotline at 2730 2968 during office hours for enquiries about the product recall.