Hong Kong authorities have issued a warning after reports that some people have become ill after eating French oysters.
The Food and Environmental Health Agency’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) has instructed the industry to suspend imports of raw oysters harvested in areas identified as 17.C.11 in France.
A CFS spokesperson said: “CFS was notified by the Health Protection Center of the Ministry of Health about seven food poisoning incidents related to the consumption of raw oysters at various restaurants. CFS investigated the restaurants involved and found that [they] They were selling raw oysters harvested in region 17.C.11 of France. ”
CFS has instructed suppliers and restaurants to stop supplying and selling affected raw oysters. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems or liver disease should avoid eating raw oysters.
moleoyster incident
Earlier this month, eight people fell ill after eating a buffet lunch at The Promenade at Harbor Grand Kowloon in Hung Hom. The patients were three men and five women, ranging in age from 26 to 69. CHP investigated and found that the people were consuming common foods, including raw oysters. This incident may have been caused by norovirus.
Other incidents have also reported a link between oysters and norovirus. The cluster includes 12 men and one woman aged 27 to 61 who experienced abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting approximately 13 to 54 hours after eating a buffet lunch at Billow Bar Seafood Bistro in Tai Po. I developed diarrhea.
CHP is investigating another outbreak involving 15 people. Five men and 10 women, aged between 57 and 94, developed symptoms after eating at two restaurants in Zhanjiang province during a group tour to Guangdong province. One person required hospitalization but was discharged after treatment.
Investigations revealed that the infected people had consumed common foods such as oysters, abalone, shrimp, sea cucumbers, and fish. Norovirus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are thought to be the cause.
In Finland, the Helsinki Food Safety Authority reported that 30 people became ill after eating oysters in December. These reports are from a variety of restaurants.
The restaurant was inspected and food samples were taken for suspected food poisoning. Results are pending. Based on patient samples, it was determined that the disease was caused by norovirus. Oysters were imported from multiple importers and countries of origin, including the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Ireland.
Other occurrences and public consultation
Back in Hong Kong, authorities are investigating 41 illnesses linked to caterers. Eight men and 33 women, aged between 5 and 77, fell ill after consuming food purchased from Catalaway, a factory in Kwun Tong.
Patients often ate seafood pizza with scallops and Thousand Island dressing, spaghetti with cod roe and squid with creamy chili sauce, and black truffle sauce. The food was suspected to be contaminated with Clostridium perfringens.
Authorities conducted on-site inspections, took food samples for testing, and ordered the suspension of operations and related food sales, cleaning and disinfection of the premises, and improvement of food preparation processes. The possible causes of this incident were the food being prepared too early and the food being stored at the wrong temperature.
Finally, the government Opened to the public Comment period on proposed amendments to the Food Adulteration (Metal Contamination) Regulations.
“One of the initiatives set out in the 2024 Supplement to the Executive’s Policy Address is to review food safety standards based on regulations on international standards and practices, strengthen protection of public health and ensure effective regulation. ”and promote harmonization of national and international food safety standards,” a government spokesperson said.
The government has added 27 new maximum levels (MLs) for certain metals, including lead, cadmium and methylmercury, in certain foods, with reference to standards from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and major food importing countries, including China. We are planning to update 9 MLs. Lead with existing related food combinations. After the amendment, the number of MLs will increase from 144 to 171.
An 18-month transition period is planned after the amended law is enacted to allow time for the food industry and other stakeholders to adjust towards compliance. Consultations are open until February 16, 2025.
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