"The CFS noticed through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System that some cheese products produced by an Australian manufacturer, Jindi Cheese Pty Ltd, were suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The concerned company is now voluntarily recalling all soft and semi-soft cheese products it manufactured on or before January 6 this year," a spokesman for the CFS said.
"The CFS subsequently received notification from the International Food Safety Authorities Network of the World Health Organisation / the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations that some of the affected products have been imported to Hong Kong," he added.
According to the information provided by the Australian authorities, the CFS has contacted two chain stores which had imported the affected products, namely PARKnSHOP and Pacific Gourmet. The shops were instructed to stop selling the products concerned (see attached table). The CFS was also informed that the companies had set up hotlines to answer consumers' enquiries about the product recall, PARKnSHOP at 2606 8658 and Pacific Gourmet at 3184 0805.
"In case any consumers have bought the affected soft cheese products, they should stop eating them, regardless of batches. To be prudent, consumers who recently bought any cut portion of gourmet soft cheese and are unsure of the product details should also stop eating it. People are advised to seek medical advice if they feel sick after consuming the products concerned. So far the CFS has not received any reports of persons feeling unwell after consumption of the affected products," the spokesman said.
Listeria monocytogenes are commonly found in nature, e.g. water and soil, and may be found in some foods. Chilled ready-to-eat foods, such as soft cheeses, cold meats and seafood, salad, as well as unpasteurised milk and its products are more vulnerable to Listeria contamination.
Symptoms after exposure to Listeria monocytogenes may include fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. While healthy individuals rarely develop symptoms, the effects on pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with lower immunity could be severe, which include miscarriage and meningitis.
"The CFS has alerted the trade of the incident. We will monitor the recall of affected products and the development of the incident. Appropriate actions will be taken whenever necessary," the spokesman said.
| Product name | Date of manufacture | |
| 1 | Blue Brie Cheese | 13/11/2012 |
| 2 | Blue Brie Cheese | 28/11/2012 |
| 3 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 11/10/2012 |
| 4 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 15/10/2012 |
| 5 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 16/10/2012 |
| 6 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 1/11/2012 |
| 7 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 5/11/2012 |
| 8 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 6/11/2012 |
| 9 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 13/11/2012 |
| 10 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 25/11/2012 |
| 11 | Chilled Brie Cheese Cartons | 28/11/2012 |
| 12 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 11/10/2012 |
| 13 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 15/10/2012 |
| 14 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 19/10/2012 |
| 15 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 1/11/2012 |
| 16 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 6/11/2012 |
| 17 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 13/11/2012 |
| 18 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 23/11/2012 |
| 19 | Chilled Camembert Cheese Cartons | 25/11/2012 |
| 20 | Jindi Brie Cheese 125g | 15/10/2012 |
| 21 | Jindi Brie Cheese 125g | 1/11/2012 |
| 22 | Jindi Brie Cheese 125g | 25/11/2012 |
| 23 | Jindi Camembert Cheese 125g | 15/10/2012 |
| 24 | Jindi Camembert Cheese 125g | 11/11/2012 |
| 25 | Jindi Camembert Cheese 125g | 25/11/2012 |
| 26 | Jindi Camembert Cheese 125g | 24/10/2012 |
| 27 | Jindi Camembert Cheese 125g | 15/11/2012 |
| 28 | Jindi Traditional Blue Cheese 125g | 11/10/2012 |
| 29 | Jindi Traditional Blue Cheese 125g | 1/11/2012 |
| 30 | Jindi Triple Cream Cheese 180g | 2/11/2012 |
| 31 | Jindi Triple Cream Cheese 180g | 11/11/2012 |
