Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Bottled bean milk

(1) Product name: Pre-germinated Organic Soybean Drink with Brown Rice (by HealthWorks)
Package: 500 millilitres (ml) per bottle
Use by date: August 13, 2014
Place of origin: Hong Kong

(2) Product name: Organic Black Bean Drink (by HealthWorks)
Package: 500 ml per bottle
Use by date: August 13, 2014
Place of origin: Hong Kong

During follow-up investigation into a media report, the CFS collected 12 food samples and six environmental samples at retail and manufacturing levels for testing. Test results showed that all environmental samples were satisfactory while four food samples (three soybean drink with brown rice and one black bean drink) contained Bacillus cereus at levels ranging from 210,000 to 600,000 per ml, exceeding the level set out in the 'Microbiological Guidelines for Food'.

The CFS has issued a warning to the manufacturer concerned.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions, including stepping up inspection frequency to the food factory concerned.

The manufacturer should suspend sale and production of the two affected products in order to review and improve the production process.

Stop consuming the affected batches of bottled bean milk products that were still in their possession.

Seek medical advice if they feel sick after consuming the products concerned.

The CFS press release

The manufacturer has initiated a recall of the two affected bean milk products. For prudence sake, the manufacturer will also suspend sale and production of other drinks manufactured by the same production line. Members of the public may call the company's hotline at 2408 0333 between 9am and 8pm for enquiries.