CFS urges public not to consume a batch of smoked salmon suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 29) noted that a batch of smoked salmon manufactured in Hong Kong was said to have been contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes. The CFS is proactively following up on the incident and, for the sake of prudence, urges the public not to consume the affected batch of product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected product if they have it in their possession.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Smoked salmon
Manufacturer: Polyfood Food Service Co Ltd
Weight: 100g／200g／227g per pack
Date of Manufacture: March 17, 2015
Use by dates: April 2, 2015／April 9, 2015

The spokesman said, "Upon receipt of a notification from the Macau authorities that the batch of smoked salmon imported from Hong Kong was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the CFS immediately contacted the local manufacturer, PolyFood Food Service Co Ltd. According to the manufacturer, raw salmon from Norway was processed and packed under different brands and use by dates as requested before the smoked salmon was supplied to distributors in Hong Kong and Macau. The affected batch of product has been sold out with no stock left.

"For the sake of prudence, the CFS has ordered the recall of the products of the affected batch and is tracing the distribution details of the products concerned. Since the products have been sold under different brands, the CFS urges consumers to stay alert. People who purchased the same kind of products after March 17 should check the name of the manufacturer and use by dates and if such information matches the aforementioned or if in doubt, they should stop consumption regardless of the brand. If they are not sure whether the product in their possession belongs to the affected batch, they can contact the sellers to enquire. Medical advice should be sought if they feel sick upon consumption."

Furthermore, the CFS will alert the trade of the incident and request them to stop using or selling the affected products. The CFS has also taken samples of products of the same kind but different batches from the manufacturer for testing. For enquiries about the recall of the abovementioned products, consumers may call the manufacturer (Tel:2898 9962) during office hours.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in the newborns," the spokesman said.

The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is still ongoing.

Ends/Sunday, March 29, 2015