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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recently collected 350 samples of various Western and fast food style breakfast items and beverages from some 240 premises including Western and local style restaurants, fast food shops, supermarkets, food factories, convenience stores and cake shops for chemical and microbiological tests.
In the results announced today (November 27), 348 samples were satisfactory. The two unsatisfactory samples are an egg and tomato sandwich sample found to contain Bacillus cereus at a level of 34,000,000 per gramme and a sample of instant noodle with mushroom and vegetable found to contain Salmonella.
This survey on popular food items in Western and fast food style breakfasts included:
* fish, meat and eggs, such as bacon, ham and scrambled eggs;
* sandwiches, burgers and breads, including ham sandwiches, hamburgers and local style breads (such as pineapple bun and cocktail bun);
* vegetables, fruits and dairy products, such as mushroom, salads and yoghurt;
* cereal products, such as oatmeal, macaroni and instant noodles;
* spreads and others, such as butter, jam, peanut butter and waffles.
Chemical analyses included colouring matters, sweeteners and preservatives (such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, boric acid, parabens, salicylic acid and sulphur dioxide). Microbiological tests covered pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus.
As drinks are usually served with Western and fast food style breakfasts, tests on milk beverages, juice, coffee, lemon tea, etc. were also included and all were satisfactory.
As the two unsatisfactory samples in this survey were related to pathogens, the CFS reminded the trade to follow hygienic practices to safeguard food safety.
Raw food and ready-to-eat food should be handled separately to prevent cross contamination. Food should be properly stored (at either 4 degrees Celsius or below, or above 60 degrees Celsius) and cooked thoroughly.
"Salmonella and Bacillus cereus are pathogens. Unhygienic food processing and improper food storage may cause cross contamination and give rise to bacterial growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Salmonella or Bacillus cereus may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea," a CFS spokesman said.
"The unsatisfactory samples were collected from two food premises. We have taken follow-up action, including issuing warning letters," he added.
Ends/Thursday, November 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:46
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