Snowskin mooncake ordered for recall due to E coli bacteria: SFA
Wong Casandra
·Senior Reporter
Mon, 29 August 2022 at 3:55 pm·2-min read
My Mum’s Cookies Premium Mao Shan Wang Snowskin Mooncake (Vegan). (PHOTOS: Singapore Food Authority)
SINGAPORE — A Malaysia-made snowskin mooncake product has been ordered for a recall due to the presence of E coli bacteria in it exceeding regulatory limits.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has directed importer Easy Mix to recall My Mum's Cookies Premium Mao Shan Wang Snowskin Mooncake (Vegan) as a precautionary measure, SFA said in a statement on Monday (29 August).
The implicated product comes with a batch number of 23GBB-400 and a best-before date of 31 December this year.
SFA said it has detected the E coli, or Escherichia coli, bacteria, at levels exceeding the regulatory microbial limits for Ready-To-Eat (RTE) food.
"Under the Singapore Food Regulations, a person must not import, sell, manufacture or produce for sale, any article of RTE food that does not comply with any relevant microbiological standard specified in the Eleventh Schedule," said SFA.
What is E coli?
E coli is a bacteria that is normally found in the intestines of people and animals. While most species of E coli are harmless, some types can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain, cramps, and fever, SFA said.Those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms, it added.
Foodborne pathogens like E coli can be introduced during the production process when cross-contamination occurs, particularly when good hand hygiene is not practised, according to SFA.
The bacteria can be found in contaminated beef, raw milk, and other foods such as vegetables and cheese, SFA said in a previously issued advisory. Its incubation period can range from 12 hours to eight days.
Consumers who have bought the affected product should not consume it while those who have concerns about their health arising from consumption of the product should seek medical advice.