CFS Warns Against Consuming French Cheese Due to Listeria Contamination Risk - Dining and Cooking

CFS urges public not to consume batch of French cheese suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 21) urged the public not to consume a batch of cheese originated from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.

The product details are as follows:

Product name: Brie Mon Sire 1KG

Place of origin: France

Lot number: CZDI2

Use-by date: November 10, 2026

Importer: Classic Fine Foods (Hong Kong) Limited

“The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product was possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

The importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS’s instructions. Enquiries can be made to the importer’s hotline at 3145 7819 during office hours.

“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 such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the 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 newborns,” the spokesman added.

“In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish.”

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images

HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund (FDF) jointly supported the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Kuala Lumpur organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy. The film gala opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (August 21), showcasing six acclaimed Hong Kong films alongside a dedicated cinematic exhibition.

Speaking at the gala opening ceremony, the Director of the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, emphasised the importance of cinema in strengthening regional and cultural connectivity. “Our collaboration leverages the unique soft power of Hong Kong cinema to strengthen people-to-people ties across Malaysia and the broader ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) community. This event goes beyond screenings. It serves as a premier platform for filmmakers and producers from both places to exchange concepts and cultivate robust co-production opportunities,” Mr Fung said.

The Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, also attended the opening ceremony. She said that this is the fifth consecutive year that the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation has been organised in Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, the Presentation has become a signature film event for the CCIDA in Malaysia, reflecting the growing popularity of Hong Kong films among audiences from Malaysia and other member states of ASEAN. She added that the line-up this year features an array of Hong Kong films of different genres in the hope of maximising the viewing experience of the audiences, including some that were supported by the FDF under the CCIDA, and have achieved both box office success and international acclaim.

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2026 opened with the compelling drama “Afterpiece”. Over the subsequent days, the event will screen five other notable films, including “Wakesurf Lovers”, “Unidentified Murder”, “Bird of Paradise”, “Palimpsest: The story of a name”, and “Dog Day Evening”.

More than 150 guests attended the event, including filmmakers, actors, and cinema representatives from Hong Kong and Malaysia.

In tandem with the screenings, an immersive exhibition titled “Prisms Pulse: Hong Kong Cinema in Full Color” is being held at Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX, showcasing the visual aesthetics and dynamic energy of contemporary Hong Kong cinema. Admission is free.

HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases