Food Poisoning Clusters Investigated After Buffet Outbreak in Hong Kong

CHP investigates two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 3) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters affecting a total of seven persons. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The two clusters involve one male and six females, aged between 21 and 67. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever approximately 13 to 44 hours after having a buffet at The Astor, B1/F, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei on August 29 and 30 respectively. Four of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. They are currently in stable condition.

Eaton Hotel, Photo source: reference image

The Astor, B1/F, Eaton Hong Kong, Photo source: the official website of Eaton

Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) and the CHP conducted a joint investigation, and examined the food handling processes and hygiene at the restaurant. Environmental samples were also collected for testing. The CFS immediately instructed the restaurant to suspend serving the incriminated food items, and to carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.

The buffet at The Astor, Photo source: official website of Eaton

The investigation of the CHP and the CFS 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.

The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image

Outstanding Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions set to shine at 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival

The 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, jointly presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Government of the Macao SAR, runs for approximately six weeks across theGreater Bay Area (GBA) starting today (October 31). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has curated 23 local and visiting programmes and exhibitions to support Hong Kong arts groups and artists in bringing high-calibre productions to Chinese Mainland GBA cities, thereby showcasing Hong Kong's unique charm as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Festival held this evening (October 31) in Shenzhen, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, saidthat Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, promulgated this year, proposes to deepen the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA and leverage its unique role as a bridge connecting China and the wider world to become a first-class bay area worldwide, and arts and cultural exchange is an important means of building such a connection. The official establishment of the Organising Committee of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival this year marks a new milestone in the development of the Festival, creating a more far-reaching impact for the Festival through collaboration, and showcasing the cultural integration, vitality and charm of the GBA in full.

The LCSD is jointly presenting three highlight programmes with arts organisations in the GBA, with the first two having received funding from the China National Arts Fund. These include "ChoreoMusica Soiree" - copresented by the LCSD and Guangzhou's Xinghai Concert Hall, with Hong Kong cross-disciplinary artist Tsang Man-tung as artistic director - being staged in Guangzhou, and the musical "Pan Yu Lin" by Actors' Family to debut in Shenzhen, which chronicles the legendary life of Pan Yu-lin, a Chinese female Western painter. In addition, "The Unfettered Hour" by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio, will bring to Shenzhen a solo play depicting life choices through poetic staging.

In addition, the LCSD will also support a number of local arts groups, including the Hong Kong String Orchestra and the Hong Kong Guaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble, to perform across GBA cities during the Festival. Alongside the performances, the exhibition "75 Years of Cinematic Glamour - An Exhibition of Sil-Metropole Film Stills and Posters (Qianhai's Station)", organised by the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Authority of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of the Shenzhen Municipality, and the Sil-Metropole Organisation Limited, will also be unveiled.

The LCSD is also organising a wide range of programmes and activities in Hong Kong. Visiting programmes include the "Taksu - The Spirit of Gamelan" by Malaysia's leading percussion ensemble, Hands Percussion, joining forces with Gamelan Yuganada from Bali, Indonesia, and the contemporary acrobatic theatre "Teh Dar" by Lune Production from Vietnam, as well as a multimedia dance production "Sál" by fuse* from Italy, and more. Members of the public are welcome to participate in the large-scale free programmes such as Cantonese Opera Day, Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+, and Muse Fest HK 2026, as well as visit different ongoing exhibitions at LCSD museums.

The dates and venues for the respective programmes are at the annex. For details of the activities of the 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and ticketing arrangements, please visit www.cxlo.gov.hk/en/6th-gbaf.

Outstanding Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions set to shine at 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Outstanding Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions set to shine at 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Outstanding Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions set to shine at 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Outstanding Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions set to shine at 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases