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Theodora Yu

Hong Kong authorities have ordered the food trade to stop selling raw oysters supplied by two local companies and a South Korean firm after their products were linked to 21 suspected food poisoning cases in the city.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) on Tuesday night revealed the results of an investigation into a spate of food poisoning incidents in recent weeks.
Individuals involved in 10 cases had consumed oysters supplied by Seojun Mulsan Co Ltd in South Korea.
“For the sake of prudence, the CFS instructed the trade to stop the import and sale in Hong Kong of raw oysters supplied by this company on February 5,” the department said.
It added that the centre had also found another 11 cases involving individuals who had eaten oysters supplied from the food factory of Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited.
The two companies had been told to suspend the sale and supply of oysters, the department said.


Between January 18 and Monday, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded 37 food poisoning cases affecting 115 people. Of these, 33 cases – involving 101 individuals – were linked to norovirus.
The department said the remaining cases involved oysters from various countries and that investigations were ongoing.
The department said it had also inspected 430 premises that sold oysters, providing advice on food storage, handling and hygiene conditions.
Among those affected were eight people who had dined at a restaurant at the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central.
The hotel said on Tuesday that it had removed certain seafood items, including raw oysters, from its restaurant menus.
It said it was closely monitoring the situation and was working in full cooperation with the department and the Centre for Food Safety in their investigation.
“Following the recent report regarding alleged food poisoning from contaminated seafood items, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong can confirm that these items are no longer being served in any restaurant at the hotel and the supply has been discontinued,” a hotel spokesman said.

The Centre for Health Protection said on Monday that a total of eight people were affected in two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters at the hotel. Its field investigation indicated that the individuals might have contracted food poisoning from eating raw food.
The individuals, in two separate groups, had dinner at the hotel’s Clipper Lounge on January 31 and February 2, respectively. Between 25 and 75 hours after their meals, they developed diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.
The centre said preliminary findings showed that the dishes they had in common included raw oysters, salmon sashimi, crab legs and brown crab.
The hotel said it had contacted the affected guests to offer help.
“As ever, the comfort and safety of our guests and colleagues remain our utmost priority, and our rigorous health and safety protocols continue to be strictly enforced,” its spokesman said.
The centre said on Monday that the affected individuals were in a stable condition, while its joint investigation with the CFS was ongoing.
According to the Department of Health, Hong Kong has recorded a rising number of food poisoning cases associated with norovirus – from 29 in 2022, to 76 in 2023, and 87 in 2024.
The number dropped to 51 last year; however, 339 individuals were affected, compared with 291 in 2024, 270 in 2023, and 125 in 2022.
Norovirus infection typically caused acute gastroenteritis – or stomach flu – and was a “common cause of food poisoning”, a department spokesman said.
He added that the virus could also cause outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in places where people were staying close together, such as schools, homes for the elderly, hotels, play facilities and cruise ships.
The infection is more common during the winter months, usually from December to March. Most people recovered within a few days, the spokesman noted.


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A preliminary investigation found that the diners had all eaten similar dishes including raw oysters, salmon sashimi, crab legs and brown crab. Photo: Getty Images

Eight people reportedly fell ill after consuming raw seafood at the Mandarin Oriental hotel. Photo: Nora Tam

‘Drastic increase’ in food poisoning cases in Hong Kong linked to raw oysters

“An epidemiological investigation showed that all [norovirus] cases were related to raw oyster consumption,” health authorities have said. Photo: Getty Images

2 more food poisoning clusters tied to consuming raw oysters in Hong Kong

Officials have reminded residents to maintain personal hygiene, as norovirus was more active in the winter months from December to March. Photo: Getty Images

Chef’s Cuts at The Southside shopping centre in Wong Chuk Hang. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Health officials are also investigating suspected norovirus food poisoning among diners at the five-star Mandarin Oriental


Health officials are also investigating suspected norovirus food poisoning among diners at the five-star Mandarin Oriental.


Centre for Food Safety (HK)

Centre for Health Protection

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Mandarin Oriental

21 food poisoning cases linked to 3 firms, Hong Kong probe finds

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Health officials are also investigating suspected norovirus food poisoning among diners at the five-star Mandarin Oriental

Health officials are also investigating suspected norovirus food poisoning among diners at the five-star Mandarin Oriental