The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department reported on September 30 that a sample of Hainanese chicken rice from a Wan Chai restaurant contained Salmonella. The bacterium was found in 25 grams of the sample, exceeding the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, which state that Salmonella should not be detected in 25g of a ready-to-eat food sample.

CFS staff went to the restaurant to investigate and informed it of the irregularity. The restaurant stopped selling and discarded the affected product on the CFS's instruction. The CFS said it provided food safety and hygiene education to the person in charge and staff and asked the restaurant to improve its food preparation process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. Under section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food for sale in Hong Kong, local or imported, must be fit for human consumption; conviction carries a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

A CFS spokesman said Salmonella infection can cause fever and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and that effects may be more severe for infants, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity. The CFS said its investigation is ongoing. The account reflects the situation as reported on September 30.