CFS announces study results on microbiological quality of "poon choi"

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 16) announced the results of a recently completed seasonal food surveillance project to assess the microbiological quality of "poon choi" with all 40 samples found to be satisfactory.

"'Poon choi' is popular during the Winter Solstice Festival and the Chinese Lunar New Year. The CFS collected the 'poon choi' samples from local restaurants and food factories for testing of the common food poisoning organisms, including Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus," a CFS spokesman said.

"Despite the satisfactory results, people should be careful when purchasing and eating this seasonal delicacy and the CFS would remain vigilant and would continue its surveillance on 'poon choi' available in the market to ensure food safety and protect the health of the public," the CFS spokesman added. He also reminded traders to check the quality of food and ingredients when they are delivered to them. In addition, traders should avoid preparing food too far in advance. To prevent food-borne diseases, food handlers should also take note of the temperature in storing, transporting and preparing food.

"All food and food ingredients should be stored at safe temperatures, e.g. perishable items at 4 degrees Celsius or below. Reduce the cooling time of cooked food as far as possible, for example, by dividing food into smaller portions or placing it in shallow containers. If transport of 'poon choi' is required, hot 'poon choi' should be kept above 60 degrees Celsius and chilled 'poon choi' at 4 degrees Celsius or below," he said.

"Clear advice on the proper methods of storage and reheating of 'poon choi' before consumption should also be provided to consumers so as to further reduce the risk of food poisoning due to incorrect handling by consumers", he added.

The spokesman also advised consumers to observe the following safety tips:

* Order "poon choi" from licensed and reliable suppliers;
* Avoid prolonged storage of "poon choi" at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacteria growth;
* Consume cooked/reheated "poon choi" as soon as possible, or keep it above 60 degrees Celsius; and
* Stop consumption immediately if the food tastes or smells abnormal.

"The public should also maintain a balanced diet and avoid eating too much food with high levels of energy, sugar, salt, fat and/or cholesterol," the spokesman added.

Ends/Monday, December 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:45