Update on CFS' investigation into listeriosis case

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 25) that while following up on a case of listeriosis earlier, the CFS collected food and environmental samples from two food suppliers for testing. The test results showed that an environmental sample taken from the premises of one of the suppliers contained Listeria monocytogenes.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon notification of a case of listeriosis from the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health earlier, the CFS, in addition to conducting investigation at the suspected sushi shop in Wan Chai, had conducted inspections to the two suppliers which supplied food to the food premises concerned. A total of nine food samples and 11 environmental samples were taken from the suppliers for testing. All the food samples passed the tests but Listeria monocytogenes were detected on an environmental sample taken from a chopping board."

The spokesman noted that the unsatisfactory environmental sample was collected from Legend Japanese Food Limited at shops G1 to G3 and portion of corridor, LG/F, The Spectacle, 8 Cho Yuen Street, Yau Tong. The supplier has earlier voluntarily stopped sale and recalled all processed salmon products upon the advice of the CFS. According to the information provided by the supplier, the recall was completed and all recalled products and remaining stock were disposed of. The CFS has also requested the supplier to conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection.

The spokesman added that CFS' further investigation showed that isolates from the three food and environmental samples detected with Listeria monocytogenes (the sample announced today and the two unsatisfactory samples collected from the food premises earlier) were of different serotypes from that of the listeriosis patient.

Moreover, as the joint investigation by the CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the FEHD revealed that the supplier concerned was suspected of operating an unlicensed food factory, prosecution has been instituted against the person-in-charge. Further inspection by the FEHD confirmed that the premises had suspended operation.

Listeriosis is usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes which 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 and diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, 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 the newborns.

"The CFS advises those belonging to the high-risk groups, i.e. pregnant women, infants, the elderly, chronic disease patients and those with a weaker immune system, to avoid eating high-risk food, such as soft cheese and smoked seafood, so as to reduce the risk of Listeriosis," the spokesman said.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2015