XN000022-1996-01-15 — Page 2

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Recall of Vitasoy and Vita products

The recall of paper-packed Vitasoy and Vita products has been smooth and public awareness of the process is high, a spokesman for the Department of Health said today (Monday).

The spokesman said the department and the two municipal services departments had mobilised more than 300 health inspectors since the recall was launched to monitor the recall process and to conduct special inspections at retail outlets.

"So far, 4,500 retail outlets had been visited and a total of 2,700 advisory letters had been issued. The latest inspections found that almost all retailers were aware of the recall and co-operated by not selling the products in question.

"As at 5 pm today, the Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd reported that a total of 12.1 million packs of Vitasoy and Vita products had been recalled.

"The Government is satisfied with the progress of the recall so far and will continue to monitor the process through its routine inspections," the spokesman added.

The Department of Health also announced the findings of the 296 tests conducted on 260 samples collected since the incident occurred.

Two types of bacteria which are non-pathogenic were found in five packets of Vitasoy products. There were Bacillus species (including Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) in four packets of Vitasoy produced in Hong Kong and Corynebacterium species (including CDC group 4) in one packet of Malt Vitasoy produced in Shenzhen.

"Both types of bacteria found belong to non-pathogenic strains and are commonly present in the environment," the spokesman stressed.

"Other samples taken were all found to be normal according to laboratory analysis," he added.

Meanwhile, an Ad Hoc Working Group, comprising Urban and Regional Councillors and representatives of the two municipal services departments, will be set up under the Department of Health's Hygiene Services Committee to study the investigation reports to be submitted by the company.

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