************************************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 25) that the import into and sale within Hong Kong of raw oysters harvested in Drumcliff Bay of Ireland (harvest area code: SO-DB-DB) has been prohibited with immediate effect.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS was notified by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health of five suspected food poisoning clusters which involved consumption of raw oysters at the same restaurant. The CFS immediately deployed staff to conduct follow-up investigation at the restaurant concerned in Tsuen Wan and its food supplier. Samples of raw oysters were taken from the restaurant concerned for testing. Investigation showed that no remaining stock of the affected batch of raw oysters was found in both premises. According to the information provided by the food supplier concerned, the affected raw oysters were harvested in Drumcliff Bay of Ireland (harvest area code: SO-DB-DB). For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately banned the import into and sale within Hong Kong of all raw oysters harvested from the area."
Furthermore, based on the distribution information provided by the food supplier, the CFS has contacted other local vendors which have purchased the same batch of raw oysters and requested them to stop supplying and selling the affected raw oysters immediately. All local vendors concerned confirmed that they did not have any stock of the incriminated raw oysters.
The spokesman pointed out that as oysters are fed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens (such as norovirus), chemical contaminants or natural toxins can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Regardless of the season or the region in which the oysters are harvested, consuming oysters, particularly raw or partially cooked ones, carries an inherent food safety risk. 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 has informed the Irish authorities of the import ban and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Thursday, February 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:23
NNNN
