CFS urges public not to consume batch of prepackaged flying fish roe suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 7) noted that a batch of prepackaged flying fish roe was reported to have been contaminated with 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 the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Flying Fish Roe (Specification L)
Place of origin: China
Brand: Captian Jiang
Batch number: 160705001H
Importer: Guardian Trading (Asia) Company Limited
Net weight: 1 kilogram per pack
Best before date: July 4, 2018

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon receipt of a notification from the Food Safety Centre, Macau, that a batch of prepackaged flying fish roe imported from Hong Kong was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned, Guardian Trading (Asia) Company Limited. According to the information provided by the importer, the affected batch of the product was all supplied to distributors in Hong Kong and Macau, with no stock left."

The importer concerned is now recalling the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2811 0977 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the distribution of the product concerned and will alert the trade of the incident and request them to stop using or selling the affected batch of the product.

Furthermore, the CFS also urges the public not to consume the affected batch of the product. Medical advice should be sought if they feel sick upon consumption.

"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 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 ongoing.

Ends/Wednesday, September 7, 2016