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

Cow's milk cheese

(1) Product name: Saint Nectaire Fermier (raw cow's milk cheese)
Place of origin: France

(2) Product name: Saint Nectaire Laitier (pasteurised cow's milk cheese)
Place of origin: France

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned batches of cow's milk cheese were found to have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the French producer concerned has initiated a recall of the affected products and a small volume of the affected products has been imported into Hong Kong.

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 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. Information provided by the importers showed that they had only imported Saint Nectaire Fermier (raw cow’s milk cheese) but not Saint Nectaire Laitier (pasteurised cow’s milk cheese). According to the information provided by The House of Fine Foods Limited, all affected product has been disposed of and has not entered the local market. Information provided by City Super Limited showed that the affected product was being disposed and had not entered the local market.

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 products immediately should they have imported and still possess the products.

The CFS will continue to follow up and take appropriate actions.

Stop using or selling the products concerned immediately.

Stop consuming the affected batches of product.

Seek medical advice if feeling sick upon consumption.

The CFS Press Release