Hong Kong recalls Aptamil baby milk formula batch over toxin contamination fears
Centre for Food Safety says a local retailer sold a small quantity of the formula batch suspected to contain cereulide
Hong Kong’s food safety watchdog has recalled a batch of Aptamil powdered infant milk formula over fears it may be contaminated with a toxin found in similar products.
The Centre for Food Safety said on Tuesday evening that a local retailer had sold “a small quantity” of a batch suspected to contain cereulide, prompting a precautionary recall.
The affected product is Aptamil Profutura DUO Pre D 800g, with a use-by date of April 20, 2027.
The watchdog said it had earlier learned that German authorities had recalled certain Aptamil infant and young children’s milk formulas over similar concerns.
Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by certain strains of the Bacillus cereus bacterium. Consuming food contaminated with excessive amounts of the bacterium or its toxins may cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
“According to the latest investigation results, a local retailer sold a small quantity of one affected batch of the powdered infant formula,” the centre said.
“As a precaution, the retailer has stopped sales, removed the affected product from shelves, and initiated a recall in accordance with the centre’s instructions.”