CHP investigates food poisoning clusters involving restaurants in Kowloon Bay and Tsuen Wan
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (September 17) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters affecting nine persons, who consumed food prepared by 新紅城冰室 in Kowloon Bay. Additionally, following the CHP's announcement earlier oftwo food poisoning clusters involving 韓台站 in Tsuen Wan, seven more food poisoning clusters associated with the same restaurant have been reported. All affected individuals dined at the restaurant before the investigation and control measures instituted. This restaurant is currently closed temporarily. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.
Food poisoning clusters involving restaurant in Kowloon Bay
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The affected individuals, comprising six males and three females aged between 28 and 50, developed symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, about 14 to 29 hours after dining at or consuming takeaway from 新紅城冰室, located at Shop 2B, G/F, Kowloon Bay Industrial Centre, 15 Wang Hoi Road, Kowloon, on September 12.
Seven affected persons sought medical attention, with two requiring hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the affected individuals had consumed common dishes with siu mei prepared by the restaurant, including barbecued pork egg rice with XO sauce and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), conducted a joint investigation at the restaurant. They reviewed the handling process and food hygiene, and collected food and environmental samples for testing.
The food concerned was not thoroughly cooked and there was risk of cross-contamination in the handling process. The FEHD instructed the premises concerned to stop selling the incriminated food items with immediate effect, temporarily suspended the business to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.
Food poisoning clusters involving restaurant in Tsuen Wan
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The number of clusters increased from two cases as announced last Friday (September 12) to nine cases, involved 22 persons, including nine males and 13 females aged between 6 and 70. They developed food poisoning symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever, about 7 to 27.5 hours after consuming food prepared by 韓台站 between September 10 and 12.
Among those affected, 20 sought medical advice, with three requiring hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition. A stool specimen of an affected person tested positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus upon laboratory testing.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the common food item consumed by those affected was chicken (including scallion oil chicken, spicy chicken or chicken in wine sauce). On September 12, officers of the CHP and the FEHD conducted a joint investigation at the restaurant. They examined the handling process and food hygiene, and collected food and environmental samples for testing. The food concerned was prepared too far in advance and stored at an improper temperature for a prolonged period and there was cross-contamination during the preparation process. The FEHD has provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the restaurant. The restaurant has also stopped selling the affected product, and has temporarily suspended the business for carrying out thorough cleaning and disinfection according to the FEHD's advice.
The investigation of the CHP and FEHD is ongoing.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:
Avoid eating raw seafood;
Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;
Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;
Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;
Drink boiled water;
Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;
Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
