Hong Kong
HONG KONG – Contaminated Dessert Seized in Hong Kong Food Safety Crackdown
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong has identified a batch of imported frozen dessert containing excessive bacterial contamination. The affected product, Hazelnut Cacao Frozen Dessert from The Ice Cream & Cookie Co., was found to have a total bacterial count of 71,000 per gram – significantly exceeding the legal limit of 50,000 per gram for frozen confections.
The contaminated batch was discovered as part of the CFS’s routine food surveillance program. According to a CFS spokesperson, the test results indicated an unacceptably high level of bacteria. The agency has acted to isolate the affected products and prevent them from reaching consumers.
The 473ml containers of Hazelnut Cacao Frozen Dessert were imported by Hong Kong-based company Creme Concepts (HK) Limited. The batch had a best-before date of March 24, 2026.
Under Hong Kong’s Frozen Confections Regulation, it is illegal to sell frozen treats containing more than 50,000 bacteria per gram. Violations can result in fines up to HK$10,000 (US$1,275) and up to 3 months imprisonment.
The CFS has notified the importer of the contamination and temporarily suspended their permission to sell this product. Fortunately, the affected batch remains isolated in a warehouse and has not entered the local market. Other desserts from the same brand currently available for purchase are not impacted.
Moving forward, the CFS will collaborate with authorities in Singapore, where the dessert was manufactured, to investigate the source of the bacterial contamination. The agency will also continue its routine surveillance to ensure the safety of Hong Kong’s food supply.
Australia
NEW SOUTH WALES – Recall of Tropical Brazil Brand Acai Due to Salmonella
Tropical Brazil has recalled its Acai with Guarana product due to potential for Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The New South Wales Food Authority urges consumers not to consume the affected product and return it to the store for a refund.
The recalled product is labeled as Lot 302 with a “Best by” date of August 1, 2026.
South Africa
GAUTENG – Food Sales Prohibited at Schools Following Rash of Food Poisonings
The sale of food at local schools has been suspended by the Gauteng Department of Education over a recent increase in food poisoning among school children.
A department spokesperson confirmed the order, saying “We have instructed all schools to suspend the sales of food within and around school premises until further notice.”
Gauteng and other areas in South Africa have suffered a large number of food-related illnesses in the last several months. Hundreds of children have been hospitalized and there have been at least 10 deaths.
Officials have requested increased regulation of any food items sold around schools, including hiring more food safety compliance officers and more frequent inspection of local snack shops.
The department would like to see prohibitions on expired or low-nutritional foods and requested that parents should make meals for their children until the current food safety issues are resolved.
Guam
HAGATNA – Guam Investigates Food Poisoning Outbreak Among Japanese Tourists
Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio has directed the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) to investigate an incident where 34 Japanese tourists fell ill with suspected food poisoning after returning from a trip to Guam.
The affected group included high school students and their teachers who became sick on two separate flights back to Japan last Thursday. Japanese officials believe the illnesses originated during the group’s time on the island.
Tenorio confirmed that Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services will handle the official investigation into the suspected food poisoning. However, as of Monday, neither GVB nor Public Health had provided updates on any actions taken so far.
The incident raises concerns about further setbacks to Guam’s tourism recovery, which has been slow to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Tenorio “reassured the public that the situation would be thoroughly investigated to avoid additional harm” to Guam’s vital tourism industry.
Japanese media reports indicated the 34 passengers across the two flights experienced symptoms consistent with food poisoning upon their return, sparking suspicions that the illnesses were linked to something consumed during their Guam visit.
Tenorio said the Consul-General of Japan has not yet reached out regarding the issue, but that they would meet with the new consul general later this week. He expressed confidence that Guam would be able to address the situation collaboratively with the Japanese government.
Singapore
TANJONG PAGAR – Restaurant Suspended for Cockroach Infestation
A restaurant in Singapore’s historic Tanjong Pagar district has had operations suspended for four weeks after repeated issues with cockroach infestations. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that Akbar 24 Hours Restaurant is suspended from November 12 to December 9.
The restaurant racked up 12 demerit points and was fined $800. Food establishments that accumulate 12 or more demerit points within 12 months can face suspensions or license cancellation.
This is not the first time Akbar 24 Hours has been penalized. In 2023, the restaurant was suspended for two weeks and fined $1,000 for unsanitary conditions, including not keeping the premises and refrigerator clean, as well as failing to register an employee.
The restaurant’s food handlers and hygiene officer must be re-certified for food safety before they can resume operations.
New Zealand
CHRISTCHURCH – Contaminated Chicken Blamed for Mass Student Sickness at University of Canterbury
Health authorities have identified the cause of a widespread illness outbreak that sickened over 100 students at the University of Canterbury last month.
The illnesses were due to the consumption of a contaminated shredded chicken dish served at university residence halls.
Laboratory testing revealed the presence of Clostridium perfringens, a type of bacteria that produces toxins and causes foodborne illness. This pathogen is typically associated with food that has been kept at unsafe temperatures for too long.
According to food safety officials, the unsafe handling practices around cooling, reheating and hot-holding of the meat is consistent with how toxins from the bacteria grow and cause illness.
The symptoms reported by the affected students, including vomiting and diarrhea, fit the profile of the Clostridium perfringens illness. On average, the students fell ill about 11 hours after consuming the food, which is typical for this pathogen.
While the investigation identified the cause, authorities emphasized the importance of ensuring the risk is properly managed to prevent a recurrence. New Zealand food safety officers have inspected the kitchen and taken corrective actions.
The university said students unable to sit exams due to illness would be able to apply for special consideration or resit their tests. Authorities have assured there is no ongoing food safety risk at the university’s dining facilities.
One student who experienced the outbreak described chaotic scenes, with lines at the building’s toilets at 4 AM and over 200 students vomiting or suffering severe diarrhea throughout the night.
India
KALPETTA – A seven-year-old is among three children who have been hospitalized from suspected food poisoning after consuming soybeans from a food relief kit supplied by the government to victims of a landslide.
The agriculture minister from India’s state of Kerala visited the hospital where the children are receiving treatment. The seven-year-old’s mother told the minister she feared the relief kits had been tampered with and were politically motivated. The minister assured her that he had given instructions to inspect the quality of all of the food items.
The incident echoes another recent case where victims of the disaster claimed that food kits distributed by a political party were infested with worms.
Commenting on the incidents, one politician criticized the rival party for distributing relief kits that had expired.
An investigation into the matter has been opened.
PATNA – Food Poisoning Outbreak at Shelter Home Kills Three
Three women residing at a government-run shelter home have died due to suspected food poisoning, while 12 others fell ill after consuming breakfast on November 7.
The incident occurred at the Asha Grih, a home for differently-abled women run by the Social Welfare Department in the Patel Nagar area. A 24-year-old woman died the same day at the Patna Medical College and Hospital. A nine-year-old girl passed away on November 10, and a 12-year-old girl died on Wednesday.
Some of the affected individuals are still undergoing treatment at the hospital. The source of the food poisoning is currently unknown.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered and a team has been formed to investigate the matter, with an additional district magistrate as the head. An official said that strict action will be taken against those found responsible.
Commenting on these stories, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “The number of incidents in various countries proves that food safety is a global challenge. Fortunately, advances in technology and increased regulation mean that outbreaks are often caught before they can have a wider impact.”
