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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 16) urged the public not to consume a batch of raw cow's milk cheese imported from France, as the product might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.
Details of the product are as follows:
Product name: Saint Nectaire Fermier
Brand: Morin
Place of origin: France
Lot No.: 61C23NW01
Best before date: May 7, 2015
"The Centre received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that a sample of a batch of cheese was found to have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the French producer concerned has initiated a recall and a small volume of the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The CFS has immediately contacted City Super Limited and The House of Fine Foods Limited, the importers concerned in Hong Kong as notified by the RASFF. According to the importers, the affected product has been taken off the shelves and recalled. According to the information provided by The House of Fine Foods Limited, its recall is completed. For enquiries about the recall by City Super Limited, consumers may call the company at 2736 3866 during office hours. For the sake of prudence, the CFS will also alert the trade of the incident and urge them to stop using or selling the affected batch of product immediately should they have imported and still possess the product.
"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, 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 the newborns," the spokesman said.
¡@ He urged members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of product if they have purchased it, and to seek medical advice if they feel sick upon consumption.
The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.
Ends/Thursday, April 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:00
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