Hong Kong – Eggs imported from US suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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Issue Date 17.4.2018
Source of Information The Food and Drug Administration of the United States
Food Product Poultry eggs
Product Name and Description Poultry eggs produced by a plant (Plant No. P – 1065) of Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County farm in Hyde County, North Carolina, the United States (US)
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the US about a recall of eggs produced by the above-mentioned plant as they might have been contaminated with Salmonella.
  • The CFS contacted the major local importers and retailers for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that five Hong Kong importers, namely General Hero Ltd, Shun Hing Hoo, Tai Cheong Eggs Company Ltd, Luen Tai Hong and Maxim’s Caterers Ltd, had imported in different batches a total of about 6,000 cartons of the affected products into Hong Kong.
  • According to the information provided by them, except for Maxim’s Caterers Ltd which has all the affected products stored in the warehouse without any entering the market, the remaining four have distributed all the affected products. The four importers have initiated a recall according to the CFS’ advice. Maxim’s Caterers Ltd will dispose of all affected products.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale in Hong Kong of the poultry eggs produced by the plant concerned.
  • The CFS is tracing the distribution of the affected products.
  • The CFS has contacted the US authorities concerned over the incident. It will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected products.
Advice to Consumers
  • Consumers, particularly the elderly, infants and pregnant women, should avoid eating raw or inadequately cooked eggs and egg products. Eggs should be thoroughly cooked until the yolk and white are firm.
  •  Consumers should choose pasteurised eggs or egg products or dried egg powder to prepare dishes not requiring heat treatment.
Further Information
  • The CFS press release
  • Members of the public may call the importers’ hotlines at 2381 9138 (General Hero Ltd), 2543 4655 (Shun Hing Hoo), 2546 1834 (Tai Cheong Eggs Company Ltd) and 2857 9389 (Luen Tai Hong) during office hours to enquire about the recall.
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