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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has recently completed a targeted food surveillance project on Salmonella in ready-to-eat food. Other than two unsatisfactory samples announced earlier, test results of the remaining samples were all satisfactory.
A spokesman for the CFS said today (June 12), "A total of 180 ready-to-eat food samples were collected from about 160 retail outlets and food factories for testing of Salmonella between February and April this year. The samples included dishes containing eggs, poultry and their products."
"The two unsatisfactory samples announced earlier included a sample of rice vermicelli in soup with egg and a sample of chicken with chili sauce. The CFS has informed the restaurant operators of the irregularities, and instructed them to suspend sale of the food concerned, carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection as well as review and improve the food production process," he said.
Salmonella can be found in eggs and food of animal origin. There is risk of contracting salmonellosis if a person consumes undercooked food of animal origin, eggs or egg products, and food cross-contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and patients with a weak immune system could be more severe and sometimes may even lead to death.
"Therefore, the trade and the public should not take the risk lightly and should always maintain good personal and food hygiene to ensure food safety," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, June 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:32
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