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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 19) urged the public not to consume four consignments of live geoduck clams imported from Canada which had been detected with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin. The trade should also stop selling the product concerned.
"The CFS today received notification from the Canadian authorities that PSP toxin was detected in three consignments of live geoduck clams imported from Canada at a level of 110 micrograms per 100 grams. The affected live geoduck clams were harvested on December 8. The CFS subsequently received notification from the Macao authorities that another consignment of affected Canadian live geoduck clams was re-exported to Hong Kong from Macao," a CFS spokesman said.
According to the information provided by the Canadian and Macao authorities, details of the three importers (involving four consignments) are as follows:
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1. Company name: Samuel's Seafood Trading Company Limited
Date of importation: December 11, 2014
Import quantity: 200 pounds (lbs)
2. Company name: Shui Lung Seafood Trading Co.
(a) Date of importation: December 12, 2014
Import quantity: 290 kilograms (kg)
(b) Date of importation: on or after December 12, 2014
Import quantity: 180 kg
3. Company name: LongFine Seafood Trading Company Limited
Date of importation: December 13, 2014
Import quantity: 680 lbs
"The CFS is contacting the three importers concerned to request them to stop the sale of the food concerned and trace the distribution of the food item in question," the spokesman said.
PSP toxin can cause symptoms such as numbness of mouth and limbs and gastrointestinal discomfort. In severe cases, paralysis with respiratory arrest and even death may occur. This natural toxin is sometimes found in bi-valve shellfish. It is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed through cooking.
The spokesman urged consumers who have bought the affected product to immediately stop consumption. If they have bought similar food item recently, but were not sure about its place of origin, they should also refrain from eating it for prudence sake. The trade should also stop selling the product concerned. Members of the public should seek medical advice if they feel sick after eating the product concerned. So far, the CFS has not received any related PSP food poisoning notification.
Some precautionary measures to avoid shellfish poisoning are as follows:
* Remove the viscera before cooking, avoid consuming the cooking sauce and eat a small amount of shellfish in one meal;
* Children, patients and the elderly may be susceptible to poisoning and should be cautious in consuming shellfish;
* When symptoms occur after consuming shellfish, seek medical advice immediately.
The CFS will alert the trade of the incident, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate actions.
Ends/Friday, December 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:25
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