Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

A batch of rockmelons produced in New South Wales, Australia

A batch of rockmelons produced in New South Wales, Australia imported by local importers, Wing Kee Produce Limited, ETAK International Ltd., Wing Hong Woo and Ming Kee Chan Co., Ltd., between 1 January and 28 February, 2018

*Updated on 8 Mar 2018

Five more local importers, including Luen Woo Loong Limited, Calfruits Company Limited, Wellcome Company Limited, Sun Lee Laan Wholesale Food Limited and Good View Fruits Company Limited, were found to have imported the affected rockmelons into Hong Kong in January and February this year.

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by FSANZ that a batch of rockmelons produced in New South Wales, Australia might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are being recalled.
• According to the information provided by the Australian authorities, four local importers have imported the affected product into Hong Kong.
• The four importers confirmed that the affected product was already sold out. They have initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice.
• Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. 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 septicaemia, 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.

*Updated on 8 Mar 2018

• The CFS has been maintaining close contact with the Australian authorities. According to the latest information provided by the authorities concerned, five more local importers have imported the affected product into Hong Kong.

• The CFS contacted FSANZ for follow up. According to the information provided by the Australian authorities, four local importers have imported the affected product into Hong Kong.
• The CFS contacted the four importers and all of them confirmed that they had imported the affected product which was already sold out. The importers have initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice.
• The CFS has not received any reports about listeriosis caused by consumption of rockmelons in the past two months.
• The CFS' follow-up on the case continues.  The CFS will continue to closely monitor the case and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is ongoing.

*Updated on 8 Mar 2018

• The CFS contacted the five importers for follow up and all of them confirmed that they had imported the affected product which was already sold out. The importers have initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice.

• Stop using or selling the affected product immediately if possessing it.

• Wash and scrub the surface of the whole rockmelon with a clean produce brush under clean running water before cutting it for consumption.
• For enquiries, call the hotlines of the importers concerned during office hours:
  • Wing Kee Produce Limited at 2796 3111;
  • ETAK International Ltd. at 2487 3800;
  • Wing Hong Woo at 2376 2484; and
  • Ming Kee Chan Co., Ltd. at 2517 2686.

*Updated on 8 Mar 2018

• For enquiries, call the hotlines of the importers concerned during office hours:
  • Luen Woo Loong Limited at 2810 1795;
  • Calfruits Company Limited at 2368 3668/2620 8919;
  • Wellcome Company Limited at 2299 1133;
  • Sun Lee Laan Wholesale Food Limited at 6636 8014, and
  • Good View Fruits Company Limited at 2884 3893.

The CFS press release (6 Mar 2018)

The CFS press release (8 Mar 2018)

*Updated on 8 Mar 2018

The CFS has been maintaining close contact with the Australian authorities.  According to the latest information provided by the authorities concerned, five more local importers, including Luen Woo Loong Limited, Calfruits Company Limited, Wellcome Company Limited, Sun Lee Laan Wholesale Food Limited and Good View Fruits Company Limited, have imported the affected product into Hong Kong.  The CFS immediately contacted the five importers for follow up and all of them confirmed that they had imported the affected product which was already sold out. The importers have initiated a recall according to the CFS' advice.

Members of the public may call the hotlines of the importers concerned: Luen Woo Loong Limited at 2810 1795; Calfruits Company Limited at 2368 3668/2620 8919; Wellcome Company Limited at 2299 1133; Sun Lee Laan Wholesale Food Limited at 6636 8014, and Good View Fruits Company Limited at 2884 3893, during office hours for enquiries.