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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 31) that a sample of rice roll with BBQ pork was found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella. The CFS has instructed the restaurant concerned to stop selling the affected dish, and to review and improve the food production process.
"Following up on a food complaint, the CFS collected the sample of rice roll with BBQ pork from a licensed general restaurant in Sham Shui Po for testing. The test result showed the presence of Salmonella in 25 grams of the sample, exceeding the standard of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food which state that Salmonella should not be detected in 25g of food," a CFS spokesman said.
"Salmonella can be found in eggs and food of animal origin. There is a risk of contracting salmonellosis if a person consumes undercooked food of animal origin, eggs or egg products, or food cross-contaminated with Salmonella. 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. 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."
The spokesman said that the CFS has notified the food premises concerned of the unsatisfactory test result and instructed it to stop supplying the affected food immediately, carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection as well as review and improve the food production process. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene for the person-in-charge and staff of the food premises.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:06
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