Hong Kong suspends raw oyster sales from 2 suppliers after dozens of food poisoning cases

2026-02-11 - 10:07

Hong Kong authorities have suspended sales of raw oysters from two suppliers after 39 reported cases of food poisoning linked to the delicacy in more than three weeks. A Centre for Food Safety officer collecting raw oyster samples for testing on February 10, 2026. Photo: GovHK. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said on Tuesday that 10 cases involved raw oysters supplied by South Korean firm Seojun Mulsan Co Ltd, while another 11 cases involved food factory Jeton International Foods and 88 Investment Holdings Ltd. A total of 119 people fell ill after eating the delicacy between January 18 and Tuesday, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The import, sale, or supply of raw oysters from the two firms has been suspended since last week, the CFS said, adding that restaurants had been urged to stop selling oysters received from the two suppliers. “Investigations into other cases, which involve the consumption of oysters from various countries, are still ongoing,” the CFS said. Meanwhile, the FEHD said on Tuesday that it had inspected about 430 food premises selling raw oysters since Thursday last week, providing advice on food storage, handling, and environmental hygiene. A plate of raw oysters. Photo: cottonbro studio, via Pexels. An FEHD spokesperson urged vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, to avoid eating raw oysters, which may accumulate bacteria and viruses if harvested from contaminated water. In a press release on Wednesday, the CHP said the 39 food poisoning cases affected 44 men and 75 women, aged between 15 and 75. Among them, 105 contracted norovirus, which can also cause acute gastroenteritis, according to the CHP. Edwin Tsui, the CHP controller, urged Hongkongers to maintain a high level of personal hygiene, especially as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches. He advised that before consuming shellfish, the shells should be well scrubbed and the internal organs removed. “Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water,” he said.