Food Safety Focus (139th Issue, February 2018) – Food Incident Highlight

Observe Good Hygiene to Prevent Avian Influenza(AI) Infection

Last month, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced that a sample of chilled chicken at a fresh provision shop in Mong Kok was detected with H5 AI virus. The FEHD immediately stepped up inspection of the premises concerned, ordered the premises to conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection, and provided health education for all fresh provision shops and poultry stalls. The FEHD will continue to monitor the situation.

AI virus on the carcass of chilled poultry will not multiply and the chance of contracting AI through properly treated chilled poultry meat is very slim. Nevertheless, members of the public are advised to observe good hygiene at all times. These include: (i) not to touch the mouth, nose, or eyes after touching raw poultry; (ii) wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean all working surfaces, utensils and equipment after handling raw poultry; (iii) store raw poultry and cooked food separately in the refrigerator to avoid cross-contamination; and (iv) cook poultry thoroughly that all parts of the poultry meat should reach at least 70℃.