The variety of food occurrences possibly impacting Hong Kong increased in 2023, according to the Centre for Food Safety (CFS).
The Food Incident Surveillance System (FISS) keeps track of problems outside Hong Kong that might possibly impact regional food security.
In 2023, CFS found 3,500 food events through the FISS compared to 2,500 notifications in 2022. The company examined the accessibility of linked items in your area by examining import records, collaborating with pertinent authorities, and carrying out contact regional traders.
There were 567 events that needed follow up action. They included chemical, microbiological, and physical dangers along with other concerns such as inaccurate date labeling.
Risk type
Most of notifies were associated with chemical and microbiological threats, which represented 41 percent and 31 percent, respectively. Chemical threats cover extreme usage of food ingredients, toxic substances, and undeclared irritants, while microbiological threats consist of Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. Physical risks, such as plastic, glass or metal foreign bodies, lagged 14 percent of reports.
Threat management procedures consisted of stopping the sale of impacted items, starting recalls, heightening monitoring, and suspending imports.
CFS likewise utilizes the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) and the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
One example of the system working was a raw milk cheese remembered in France in December 2023 due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
By carrying out regional sales checks at the import and retail levels, CFS validated that the impacted item had actually been imported to Hong Kong. The company advised the importer to stop sales, eliminate items from racks, and perform a recall. A news release was likewise provided to encourage the general public not to take in the impacted items.
Oyster issues
CFS has actually purchased the import of raw oysters produced by Earl Huitres Geay in France to be suspended. The firm informed market to stop utilizing or offering the items worried.
CFS was alerted by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health of 2 gastrointestinal disorder clients who consumed raw oysters at 2 dining establishments. Examinations at the outlets discovered they had actually offered oysters produced by Earl Huitres Geay.
CFS stated it will notify the French authorities and take proper action to secure food security and public health.
A comparable circumstance happened in 2023. Raw oysters produced by Earl Huitres Geay were stopped from getting in Hong Kong in January after a link to 3 diseases. Steps were raised in March 2023.
Previously this month, authorities in Hong Kong checked numerous certified food facilities to guarantee that raw oysters were kept at the correct temperature level.
Raw oysters prepared for instant intake requirement to be kept in a fridge separated from other food products at a temperature level in between 0 and 4 degrees C (32 to 39.2 degrees F). If a breach of these conditions is discovered, officers can provide spoken cautions,