CFS urges public not to consume three batches of French cheese suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 4) urged the public not to consume three batches of cheese originating from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess any of them.
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The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
Brie 3kg 50%
Brie 60% 1kg Grand Export
Pointe De Brie 180g
The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
Details of the products are as follows:
Product name (1): Brie 3kg 50%
Brand: Paturages Comtois
Place of origin: France
Net weight: 3 kilograms
Lot number: 00000BPBY1
Use-by date: October 1, 2026
Importer: Noja Fine Trade Limited
Hotline: 2178 2229
Brie 3kg 50%
Product name (2): Brie 60% 1kg Grand Export
Brand: Paturages Comtois
Place of origin: France
Net weight: 1 kilogram
Lot number: 00000BXCG1
Use-by date: October 10, 2026
Importer: Maxly Food Company Limited
Hotline: 2552 7128
Brie 60% 1kg Grand Export
Product name (3): Pointe De Brie 180g
Brand: Paturages Comtois
Place of origin: France
Net weight: 180 grams
Lot number: 000000BXCG
Use-by date: August 30, 2026
Importer: King Rise (Asia) Limited
Hotline: 2492 2677
Pointe De Brie 180g
“The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned products were possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importers had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned,” a spokesman for the CFS said.
The importers concerned have stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batches of the products, and have initiated recalls according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call the respective hotlines during office hours for enquiries.
“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 products and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the products concerned.
The CFS will alert the trade to the incidents, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate actions. The investigations are ongoing.
DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 8) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration; Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation; Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning; Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking; Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle; The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell. Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:
Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes; Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off; While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent; Seek shade; Wear UV-blocking sunglasses; Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more health information, the public may visit theCHP’s heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
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