Press Release

Update on suspected food poisoning cases at Mong Kok restaurant

19 August 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 19) provided an update on its investigation into three suspected food poisoning clusters announced on This link will open in a new windowAugust 16.

Subsequent to its follow-up investigation, the CHP received reports on 28 more people being involved in suspected food poisoning cases related to the same restaurant in Mong Kok. Similar to the earlier cases announced on August 16, all the affected persons felt unwell after eating food in the restaurant on August 14 and 15 respectively.

The newly reported cases involve 13 males and 15 females aged between 16 and 63. Ten of them sought medical consultation but none required hospitalisation. All the affected people are in stable condition.

This brings to 52 the total number of persons affected so far. The investigation is continuing.

People are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:

• Patronise only reputable and licensed restaurants;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Cook food thoroughly;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Drink boiled water;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.