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

Raw cow's milk cheese

Product name: Saint Marcellin IPG
Place of origin: France
Importer: Olivier Pacific Ltd
Lot no: 11733104
Best before date: August 7, 2014

The raw cow's milk cheese in question was suspected to be contaminated by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 and the manufacturer concerned in France had initiated a recall of the product. A small amount of the affected product was imported to Hong Kong last month.

E. coli O26:H11 can cause gastrointestinal disease, intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in some people.

Upon notification, the CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned in Hong Kong, and has instructed the company to stop supply of the concerned product.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident.

The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.

Although the concerned product has passed its best before date, the CFS urges the trade to stop selling the affected product immediately for the sake of prudence.

Not to consume the affected batch of the product concerned.

Stop consuming other batches of the product concerned if they are in doubt. People who have recently bought any of the product concerned abroad or online should also stop consumption.

Seek medical advice if feeling sick after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS press release

According to the information of the RASFF, three other kinds of raw cow's milk cheese, namely, Saint Felicien, Sechon de Vache and Tommes du Dauphine have also been suspectedly affected by E. coli O26:H11. The best before dates lie between August 4 and September 3, 2014. To date, the information indicates that these products have not entered Hong Kong.