Batch of New Zealand organic oysters contaminated with E. coli

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 4) urged the public not to consume a batch of organic oysters produced in New Zealand as the product might be contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli). The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Kaipara Oysters New Zealand Organic Oyster
Place of origin: New Zealand
Distributor: Organic Gardens International Limited
Packing: 12 pieces per pack
Use by date: February 28, 2017

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected a sample of the above-mentioned oyster at 'Green dot dot' shop at Tsing Yi MTR Station for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. Test result showed that the most probable number of E. Coli of the sample was at a level of 1 700 per 100 grams. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, the sample is considered unsatisfactory, i.e. potentially injurious to health and/or unfit for human consumption."

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and recall the affected batch of the product. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may call the distributor at 3181 4488 during office hours. The CFS will also alert the trade and liaise with the importer/distributor concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product.

The spokesman urged members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product if they have purchased and still possess it, and advised them to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after taking the food.

According to Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), all food for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Wednesday, November 4, 2015