Two kinds of cooked Italian ham and mortadella were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Issue Date

2014-10-20

Source of Information

The European Commission

Food Product

Cooked Italian ham and mortadella
 

(1) Product name: Fumagalli Organic Cooked Ham
Place of origin: Italy
Weight: 70 grams 
Use-by date: October 16, 2014

(2) Product name: Fumagalli Organic Mortadella
Place of origin: Italy
Weight: 70 grams
Use-by date: October 16, 2014

Reason For Issuing Alert

- The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that upon testing, samples of the ham and mortadella concerned were found to have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the information, a French retailer involved has initiated a recall. About 11 kilograms of the affected product has been imported to Hong Kong.

- Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. Severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection ofListeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in the newborns.
 

Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety

- The CFS has contacted the importer concerned in Hong Kong, City Super Limited, and learnt that the affected products had been taken off the shelves. 

- The CFS will also alert the trade of the incident to ensure that the affected product has not entered the local market via other channels.

- The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.
 

Advice to the Trade

- Stop selling the affected batches of the products.

Advice to Consumers

- Consumers who have bought and still possess the affected batches of the products should not consume them.

- Seek medical advice if they feel sick after consuming the products concerned.
 

Further Information

The CFS press release 

For enquiries about the recall, consumers may call the company's hotline (2736 3866) during office hours.