The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (September 21) that the CFS is following up on a sample of ready-to-eat raw oysters imported from the United States (US) that was found with excessive Escherichia coli (E. coli). The CFS has instructed the importer concerned to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected product and initiate a recall immediately. The trade is also urged to stop using or selling the affected product immediately.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Raw oysters
Brand name: American Pearl
Place of origin: US
Importer: Caves Asia Company Limited
Date of harvesting: September 14, 2026
     
     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the most probable number of E. coli in the sample was at a level of 790 per 100 grams. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if the most probable number of E. coli in live or raw bivalve molluscs intended for direct consumption exceeds the level of 700 per 100g, the sample is considered unsatisfactory," a spokesman for the CFS said.

     The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the above irregularity, and has instructed it to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected batch of the product and initiate a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2423 5118 during office hours.

     The spokesman pointed out that as oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or partially cooked oysters are high-risk foods. 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 will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Monday, September 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 20:00

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