Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is investigating three linked food poisoning clusters involving nine individuals who dined at the Coffee House restaurant in The Kimberley Hotel, located in Tsim Sha Tsui. The incidents, which occurred on June 17 and 18, have raised concerns about food safety and hygiene practices in the establishment.
The first cluster affected three women aged 54 to 82 who fell ill approximately 28 hours after consuming a lunch buffet on June 17. The second and third clusters affected six individuals who experienced symptoms about 12 to 14 hours after dining at the restaurant’s dinner buffet on June 18. Symptoms reported include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.
Seven of the nine sickened people had to seek medical attention, with three requiring hospitalization. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Salmonella in one patient’s stool sample. All of those hospitalized are currently in stable condition.
Initial investigations revealed that the affected individuals consumed various items from the buffet, including cold seafood platters and desserts. The CHP has established a dedicated hotline (2125 2372) for individuals who dined at the restaurant on the specified dates and are experiencing acute gastroenteritis symptoms.
In response to the outbreak, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) initiated an on-site investigation at the restaurant on June 20. The inspection revealed unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, leading to the issuance of a summons to the operator of the restaurant. As a result, the restaurant has been temporarily closed for thorough cleaning and disinfection, with business operations to resume only after a satisfactory review by the FEHD.
The CHP has emphasized the importance of maintaining personal, food, and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses. They have issued guidelines for dining out safely, including:
- Patronizing only licensed and reputable restaurants
- Avoiding raw seafood consumption
- Being cautious when selecting cold dishes at buffets
- Ensuring proper storage and reheating of pre-cooked or leftover foods
- Thoroughly cooking food during hotpot or barbecue meals
- Separating raw and cooked foods during preparation
- Using separate utensils for raw and cooked foods
- Avoiding illegal food hawkers
- Drinking boiled water
- Practicing proper hand hygiene before eating and after using the toilet
Commenting on this story, one national food safety attorney said, “I applaud local health authorities for taking swift action on these food poisoning incidents. The restaurant should only reopen once it has reestablished proper food safety standards.”
