The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 24) that a sample of fried rice vermicelli was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. During follow-up investigation, the restaurant concerned was found to have temporarily suspended its operation. The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident.

     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned fried rice vermicelli sample from a restaurant in Kwai Chung for testing when following up on a related incident. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 1.5 million 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," a CFS spokesman said.

     "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 spokesman added.

     According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Friday, March 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:25

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