Import and sale of raw oysters and shellfish harvested in Blackman Bay Lease 44 in Tasmania, Australia suspended

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 23) that import into and sale within Hong Kong of raw oysters and shellfish harvested in Blackman Bay Lease 44 in Tasmania, Australia has been suspended with immediate effect. The trade should stop using and selling the product immediately should they possess it.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS was notified by the Australian authorities that raw oysters harvested in Blackman Bay Lease 44 in Tasmania were detected with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin, and the oysters harvested from September 12 to 22 of 2017 from the harvested area concerned are being recalled. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of all raw oysters and shellfish harvested in the area‎."

The spokesman said according to the information provided by the Australian authorities, a local importer, Oriole Food Company Limited, has imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong."

The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer confirmed that 180 dozens of the affected raw oysters had been imported into Hong Kong and were sold out.

The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2552 9266 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The trade should also stop selling the affected product should they possess it.

"PSP toxin can cause symptoms such as numbness of mouth and limbs and gastrointestinal discomfort. In severe cases, paralysis with respiratory arrest and even death may occur. This natural toxin is sometimes found in bi-valve shellfish. It is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed through cooking," the spokesman said.

The CFS has informed the Australian authorities of the import suspension and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Saturday, September 23, 2017