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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 23) that a sample of pigeon was found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella. The CFS has ordered the restaurant concerned to stop selling the affected dish, and to review and improve the food production process.
"The CFS collected the sample of pigeon from a licensed general restaurant in Sham Shui Po for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. 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 and 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 has not received any reports of persons feeling unwell after consumption of the same dish at the premises concerned since October. The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Monday, November 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:32
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