Do not consume a batch of bottled preserved bean curd due to excessive level of Bacillus cereus

Food Surveillance Programme, Centre for Food Safety

Bottled preserved bean curd

Product name: Preserved Beancurd

Brand: Yuet Wo

Place of origin: China

Net weight: 12 ounces

Best-before date: May 30, 2025

Distributor: Yuet Wo Sauce And Preserved Fruits Limited

The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 130,000 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.

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.

CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed the vendor to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS's instructions.

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

The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

Not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the hotline of the distributor at 2492 3354 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.