CFS follows up on incident of imported prepackaged smoked salmon suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 18) said that following further investigation on the incident of prepackaged smoked salmon imported from New Zealand suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, it was found that the importer concerned had imported another batch of affected smoked salmon based on the latest information. The CFS urged the public not to consume the product concerned and the trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.
      
     Details of the product are as follows:
 
Product name: Beech Wood Smoked Slices
Brand: Regal New Zealand King Salmon
Place of origin: New Zealand
Manufacturer: The New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd
Importer: PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited
Net weight: 100 grams per pack
Batch code: M362D
Expiry date: February 1, 2019
 
　　"The CFS announced yesterday (January 17) that a batch of the above product was to be recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The CFS' follow-up investigation found that the importer concerned had also imported 240 packs of the same kind of affected product but with a different expiry date and some of it was sold. The CFS has instructed the importer to also stop sale of the above-mentioned product and remove it from shelves, and initiated a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 2606 8658 during office hours," a spokesman for the CFS said.
 
　　"Listeria monocytogenes 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 or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the 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 newborns," the spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product if they have bought it. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
 
     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.