Regarding two suspected food poisoning clusters announced on 29 Oct, the Centre for Food Safety has conducted a preliminary investigation and has the following recommendations for food premises' reference:

Food poisoning cases

The first cluster involved two females aged 41 and 45

The other cluster involved two males and two females, aged between 32 and 34

Location of alleged food premises

Wan Chai

Suspected incriminated food item

Tiramisu

Suspected contributing factors
  • Food contaminated with Salmonella

  • Unpasteurised eggs were used in preparing dishes with raw or lightly cooked eggs

  • Improper cold holding temperature

Advice
  • For dishes that often use lightly cooked or uncooked eggs, choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder

  • Pay special attention if pooled eggs (liquid eggs made by combining a number of cracked, raw eggs in a container) are used:

    • Store pooled liquid eggs in the refrigerator at 4°C or below and only take out the amount as needed.

    • Use all pooled liquid egg on the day of pooling and avoid topping up by new eggs.

    • Be careful not to spill raw eggs on other food, surfaces or utensils.

    • Pooled liquid eggs should not be used to prepare raw or uncooked egg containing dishes.

  • Prepare egg dishes on a per order basis and avoid leaving them under room temperature for a prolonged period of time.

  • Store and handle raw food and ready to eat food separately to avoid cross-contamination.

  • Cook food thoroughly until the core temperature reaches at least 75°C.

  • After cooking, hot dishes should be kept at above 60℃ and cold dishes at 4℃ or below if served at a later time.

Centre for Food Safety
30/10/2024