Suspected food poisoning alert (20/02/2025)

Regarding a suspected food poisoning cluster announced on 20 February, the Centre for Food Safety has conducted a preliminary investigation and has the following recommendations for food premises’ reference:

Food poisoning cases

The cluster involved three males and 14 females aged between 12and 66

Suspected incriminated food item

Siu mei such as roasted piglet and chicken and other hot dishes

Possible association

  • Cross-contamination of food during preparation

Advice
  • Purchase food ingredients and prepared food (e.g. sui mei) from reputable and hygienic suppliers and make sure temperature and time control is in place for food transportation.

  • Plan the production schedule to avoid too early production before sale and prolonged storage of roasted products at room temperature. Two rounds of roasting – one morning session and one afternoon session – are preferred in order to cater for the demand during lunch and dinner hours.

  • Thaw frozen meat with correct methods, i.e. place under refrigeration at a temperature of 4°C or below or place under cool running water. Do not thaw frozen food under room temperature.

  • Thoroughly cook and reheat food until the core temperature reaches 75oC or above.

  • Pre-cooked food that will be used later should be stored at either above 60°C or 4°C or below.

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

  • The management should provide training to food handlers so that they can fully understand the risk of cross-contamination in handling raw food and observe good personal hygiene (e.g. proper and frequent hand washing).

Further information

Food business can refer to Siu Mei - Food Safety Guidelines for FoodBusinesses

Centre for Food Safety
20/2/2025