FEHD continues to actively follow up on food poisoning cases related to consumption of raw oysters and steps up inspections of food premises
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (February 6) that the Centre for Food Safety of the FEHD continues to actively follow up on the food poisoning cases concerned. Following yesterday's announcement regarding raw oysters supplied by Seojun Mulsan Co., Ltd. of Korea, the latest investigation has revealed that some cases involved the consumption of raw oysters supplied by the food factory Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. For the sake of prudence, the FEHD has immediately instructed the company concerned to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters. The trade should stop selling raw oysters supplied by the company concerned immediately if they possess them. The investigation is still ongoing.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Release
At the same time, in view of the recent surge in food poisoning cases related to the consumption of raw oysters, the FEHD has carried out special operations and stepped up inspections of various licensed food premises across the territory to ensure that oysters to be eaten in a raw state (raw oysters) are stored at the proper temperature, thereby safeguarding food safety and protecting public health.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD has launched a series of operations starting today, including stepping up inspections in various districts. The focuses of the inspections included the storage temperature of raw oysters, storage conditions in designated refrigerators, the sources of supply, the personal hygiene of food handlers and the hygiene condition of the premises. Operators and staff of food premises have been provided with health advice and food safety pamphlets regarding the proper way of storing and handling raw oysters."
As stipulated under the permit/licensing conditions of the restricted food permit or written permission issued by the FEHD, all raw oysters ready for immediate consumption shall be kept in a refrigerator or compartment of a refrigerator separated from other food items at a temperature between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. If a breach of the aforesaid condition is found, FEHD officers will, depending on the actual circumstances, issue verbal warnings or warning letters, and may even consider cancellation of the permits/licences of relevant premises.
The spokesman reminded that as oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater and absorbing suspended food particles therein, bacteria (e.g. Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus) and viruses (e.g. norovirus and Hepatitis A virus) may accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Consuming oysters without thorough cooking might risk direct intake of these microorganisms. Susceptible groups, such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, should avoid eating them.
The FEHD will continue to step up inspections to ensure that the licensing/permit conditions are observed by the licensees/permit holders or relevant operators, and the hygienic standards stipulated in the laws are met.
The raw oysters, Photo source: FB image
