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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 19) that in view of a notification from the Canadian authorities that oysters for raw consumption harvested on or before August 18 in coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada, may be contaminated by Vibrio parahaemolyticus and are to be recalled, the CFS decided to prohibit imports into and sale within Hong Kong of all oysters for raw consumption harvested in coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada with immediate effect. Traders who have the product concerned in their possession should immediately stop using and selling the product and should recall the product to safeguard public health and food safety. Members of the public should stop consumption.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "This morning, the CFS received information from the Canadian authorities that the affected oysters could have been contaminated by Vibrio parahaemolyticus and that those oysters for raw consumption harvested on or before August 18 in coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada were being recalled."
The CFS has informed the Canadian authorities about the decision to ban importation of the oysters for raw consumption, requested them to investigate the incident and implement appropriate surveillance programmes and actions. The CFS will also alert the trade to the incident, and urge them to stop using and selling the product and recall the product.
Common symptoms of food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, including diarrhoea, vomiting, mild fever and abdominal pain, usually occur within one to two days upon consumption of contaminated food. Recovery is usually within a few days. Nonetheless, children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weaker immune system are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
The spokesman urged consumers who had bought the affected product to immediately stop consumption. If they have bought similar food item recently, but are not sure about its place of origin, they should also refrain from eating it for the sake of prudence and check the product's origin with relevant retailers. 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.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the case closely and take appropriate actions.
Ends/Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 22:02
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