Hong Kong Suspends Import and Sale of Spanish Raw Oysters Over Food Poisoning Concerns

FEHD continues to actively follow up on food poisoning cases related to consumption of raw oysters and instructs trade to suspend importing and selling of raw oysters produced by Mariscos Escacha, S.L. (processing plant) from Spain

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 13) instructed the trade to suspend the import and sale of raw oysters produced by Mariscos Escacha, S.L. (12.04628/PO) (processing plant) from Spain. The trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately should they possess it.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Photo source: reference image

The aforesaid instruction by the CFS was based on the follow-up investigation of recently reported food poisoning cases related to the consumption of raw oysters, which revealed involvement of the consumption of raw oysters produced by Mariscos Escacha, S.L. (12.04628/PO) (processing plant) from Spain. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately instructed the trade to suspend the import into and sale within Hong Kong of raw oysters produced by Mariscos Escacha, S.L. (12.04628/PO) (processing plant) from Spain to safeguard food safety.

The CFS has informed the Spanish authorities of the matter and will notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action.

From February 1 to 12 this year, the CFS received 37 food poisoning cases related to the consumption of raw oysters. Officers from the CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the FEHD immediately conducted investigations at the restaurants involved in the cases, reviewing their food handling procedures and tracing the sources of the oysters.

The CFS's investigations revealed that 13 cases involved the consumption of raw oysters supplied by Seojun Mulsan Co., Ltd. of Korea. For the sake of prudence, the CFS instructed the trade on February 5 to stop the import and sale in Hong Kong of raw oysters supplied by this company.

In addition, the CFS found that 15 cases involved the consumption of raw oysters supplied by the food factory Jeton International Foods and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. The CFS has immediately instructed the company to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters, and issued a press release on February 6 on its related follow-up work, requiring the trade to stop selling raw oysters supplied by the company concerned. Other cases involved the consumption of raw oysters from various countries.

In view of the recent surge in food poisoning cases related to the consumption of raw oysters, the FEHD has carried out special operations in various districts from February 6 to 12 and stepped up inspections to over 1 200 food premises selling oysters across Hong Kong, thereby safeguarding food safety and protecting public health. 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, the hygienic condition of the premises, verifying source documents and health certificates, and collecting samples for testing. During the inspections, the FEHD officers also provided immediate advice on food storage, handling and environmental hygiene, to ensure licensees/permittees comply with licensing conditions and statutory hygiene standards. The CFS has also stepped up the collection of raw oyster samples for testing.

The CFS 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.

Consumers are advised to purchase or consume oysters only from food premises licensed or permitted by the FEHD. The trade and food handlers should understand the importance of adhering to good personal hygiene and proper food handling, and provide regular training on hygiene practices and norovirus-related risks. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Separate utensils and cutting boards should be used for raw and ready-to-eat foods, with regular cleaning and disinfection. Food handlers who exhibit symptoms of infection should refrain from handling food until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

The raw oysters, Photo source: FB

ExCo Non-official Members congratulate successful launch of manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (May 24) warmly congratulate the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. They extend their highest respect to all crew members, including Dr Lai Ka-ying, the first payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This mission is the first manned spaceflight during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the first time a Hong Kong expert has participated, which is a truly momentous occasion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent with this invaluable opportunity to take part in the country's aerospace endeavours. Dr Lai has successfully undergone the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, and China's fourth female astronaut to reach space, contributing Hong Kong's strength to the national aerospace endeavours. She has exemplified the Lion Rock spirit of rising to challenges with resilience and perseverance. Her courage and determination are truly admirable, and all Hong Kong citizens are immensely inspired and proud of her. The understanding and support of her family are also essential for her to participate in this mission with resolution. I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment.

"The HKSAR Government is actively developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and supporting promising research projects through various funding schemes. As an example, the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) camera, developed under a project led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and funded by the Government's Innovation and Technology Support Programme Special Call on Aerospace Technology, has successfully arrived at China's Tiangong Space Station, becoming Hong Kong's first scientific payload aboard the station. This fully demonstrates Hong Kong's innovation and technology edge and talent advantages."

Non-official Members of the Executive Council expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the country for its high recognition of Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent, development and achievements, as well as its profound emphasis, care and support for Hong Kong's scientific and technological development. They firmly believe that the HKSAR Government will seize this historic moment to nurture more outstanding innovation and technology talent for the country and Hong Kong, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

Source: AI-found images