CFS Issues Recall of US Raw Oysters Due to High E. coli Levels

Ready-to-eat raw oyster sample detected with excessive E. coli

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (September 21) that the CFS is following up on a sample of ready-to-eat raw oysters imported from the United States (US) that was found with excessive Escherichia coli (E. coli). The CFS has instructed the importer concerned to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected product and initiate a recall immediately. The trade is also urged to stop using or selling the affected product immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Raw oysters

Brand name: American Pearl

Place of origin: US

Importer: Caves Asia Company Limited

Date of harvesting: September 14, 2026

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the most probable number of E. coli in the sample was at a level of 790 per 100 grams. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if the most probable number of E. coli in live or raw bivalve molluscs intended for direct consumption exceeds the level of 700 per 100g, the sample is considered unsatisfactory," a spokesman for the CFS said.

The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the above irregularity, and has instructed it to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected batch of the product and initiate a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2423 5118 during office hours.

The spokesman pointed out that as oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or partially cooked oysters are high-risk foods. Susceptible groups, such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, should avoid eating raw oysters.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (September 21) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming air passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

During customs clearance of a 20-year-old Mainland male passenger, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases