Chicken with chili sauce contaminated with salmonella

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 14) announced that a sample of chicken with chili sauce was found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella. The CFS has ordered the restaurant concerned to stop selling the affected dish, and to review and improve the food production process.

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS took a sample of chicken with chili sauce from a licensed general restaurant in Tseung Kwan O for testing under a targeted food surveillance project on Salmonella in ready-to-eat food of the Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed the presence of Salmonella in 25 grams of the sample, exceeding the standard of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food which states that Salmonella should not be detected in 25 grams of food.

"Salmonella can be found in eggs and food of animal origin (e.g. chicken). There is risk of contracting salmonellosis if a person consumes undercooked food of animal origin, eggs or egg products, and food cross-contaminated with Salmonella. Therefore, the trade and the public should not take the risk lightly and should always maintain good personal and food hygiene to ensure food safety.

"Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and patients with a weak immune system could be more severe and sometimes may even lead to death."

The CFS has not received any reports of persons feeling unwell after consumption of the same dish at the premises concerned in the past three months.

The spokesman said, "The CFS has informed the restaurant operator of the test result, and instructed the restaurant concerned to suspend sale of chicken with chili sauce, carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection as well as review and improve the food production process. The CFS will consider taking prosecution action.

He added, "The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action to ensure food safety and safeguard public health."

Ends/Thursday, May 14, 2015