The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) warned the public yesterday against eating a raw milk cheese imported from France under the brand of “PERRIN VERMOT”, which might have been contaminated with shigatoxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
The Centre for Food Safety of Hong Kong announced on Wednesday that the problematic product, namely “MORBIER LAIT CRU DE SCEY AOP 7KG MEULE”, has a net weight of 6.56 kilograms, and best-before-date of February 23, 2025, with batch number 34008, was found to contain STEC.
According to the statement, STEC infection is mainly caused by drinking contaminated water and eating undercooked or contaminated food. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, and occasional intestinal infections such as fever and vomiting, the statement said.
In severe cases, acute renal failure, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and complications such as haemolytic uremic syndrome may result, the statement said.
The Macau Health Bureau said in a statement yesterday that it has issued a food alert to warn local retailers about the product, while also dispatching IAM officials to look out for the product.
The bureau urged consumers to stop using the product immediately if they are in possession of it, adding that shops should also immediately cease selling the product if they have it on their shelves.
Anyone who has food-related enquiries may call the IAM’s Food Safety Hotline on 2833 8181.
This undated handout photo downloaded from the website of the chess distributor company Iberconseil shows the problematic French-made raw milk cheese product under the brand of “PERRIN VERMOT”.
