Centre for Food Safety

Bottled preserved bean curd

Product name: Salted bean curd cubes in brine with chili (with sesame oil)

Brand: Giant Tree

Place of origin: China

Net weight: 130 grams

Best-before date: August 19, 2027

Distributor: Foundation Agents Ltd.

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Wan Chai for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme.
• The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 180,000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100,000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.
• Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

• The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed it to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product.
• The distributor concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS's instructions.
• The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

• Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if in possession.

• Not to consume the affected batch of the product, and seek medical treatment if feeling unwell after consuming the products concerned.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 2330 6340 during office hours for enquiries about the product recall.