CFS finds Salmonella in Hainanese chicken rice sample
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 30) that a sample of Hainanese chicken rice was found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella. The CFS is following up on the incident.
"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a restaurant in Wan Chai for testing. The test result showed the presence of Salmonella in 25 grams of the sample, exceeding the criterion of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, which states that Salmonella should not be detected in 25g of a ready-to-eat food sample," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The CFS has instantly deployed staff to the restaurant concerned for investigation, and has informed the restaurant concerned of the irregularity. Therestaurant concerned has already stopped selling and discarded the affected product according to the CFS's instruction. The CFS has provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the restaurant, and requested it to improve the food preparation process as well as carrying out thorough cleaning and disinfection according to the CFS's advice.
According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
"Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and people with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death," the spokesman said.
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
DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments
In view of the fact that certain premises were suspected to provide injectable treatments involving unregistered pharmaceutical products to the public, the Department of Health (DH) conducted a raid in Tsim Sha Tsui today (September 30) in collaboration with the Police. So far, more than 5 900 vials/ampoules of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons have been seized. The case remains under investigation and arrests cannot be ruled out.
During the operation, the DH and the Police seized more than 5 900 vials/ampoules of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons from two premises in Tsim Sha Tsui, including a company claiming to provide medical health management services.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), any product that meets the definition of a pharmaceutical product must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality, and must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before it may be distributed in Hong Kong. The illegal supply or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, each offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Where the DH suspects that a person has illegally supplied and/or possessed unregistered pharmaceutical products, it will conduct an investigation and take enforcement action. Where healthcare professionals are involved, the case will be referred to the relevant professional regulatory body for follow-up.
The DH has been taking stringent enforcement action against the illegal supply and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products to safeguard public safety. From 2021 to June 2026, the DH's Drug Office handled 138 cases resulting in convictions for the sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. The maximum penalty was 10 months' imprisonment (total for all counts of offences) or a fine of up to $242,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences).
The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market, whether via online or offline channels, in accordance with established mechanisms. The DH will also take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. When necessary, the DH will conduct joint operations with other law enforcement departments, or refer the cases to the relevant department for follow-up.
Furthermore, the DH has sent a letter to all doctors and private healthcare facilities in Hong Kong, reminding them that they must comply with the law in Hong Kong, as the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence in Hong Kong.
The DH also reminded members of the public that injection procedures are medical procedures which should only be performed by locally registered medical practitioners or registered dentists. For queries about disease prevention and treatment, one should first consult a registered doctor, who will provide professional advice based on individual health condition and the latest medical evidence. To protect one's health and safety, do not blindly trust unproven medical claims.
DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
