Three batches of bento sold by FamilyMart were found to have excessive bacteria, Shanghai’s food watchdog said yesterday.

These included two batches of boxed lunches sold at the Jinzhu Road outlet in Changning District and a batch sold at the Chengzhong Road W. outlet of the convenience store chain in Qingpu District, according to the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation.

One batch of bento of shredded pork with green pepper, and mapodoufu (tofu in chilli bean sauce with minced pork) failed for excessive Escherichia coli, while another batch of pork chop bento failed for excessive Bacillus cereus.

Both were sold at the Jinzhu Road outlet and made by Shanghai Dingzhen Food Co part of Taiwan-based food giant Ting Hsin International Group. The food company is in Jiading District. Another batch of bento of oil gluten stuffed with pork, celery, carrot and shredded meat failed for excessive Bacillus cereus.

It was manufactured by Shanghai Dingfa Food Co in Songjiang District and sold at Chengzhong Road W. outlet.

Escherichia coli can cause gastrointestinal infection and urinary tract infection. Bacillus cereus may cause food poisoning with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The irregularities will be recorded in the city’s food safety credibility files of food manufacturers and operators.

“I buy FamilyMart bento as lunch when I am busy,” said Alice Zhang, an office worker in the Nanjing Road W. area. “I think the store should make food safety a priority.”