A Taiwanese brand of sandwiches that led to several food poisonings was likely contaminated during the manufacturing process, Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says.
Dr Ko told reporters this afternoon that if any importers, distributors or retailers are found to have violated the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance, they could face legal consequences.
He said because the food was bought from different retailers in Hong Kong and involved more than one import channel, the sandwiches were likely contaminated during the manufacturing stage, which is why a total ban on the product was announced yesterday.
Dr Ko added that since the last affected person had purchased the sandwiches on July 30, it is believed that there are no more available on the market.
Health authorities will continue working with the wholesaler, retailer and importer, and boost retail inspections, Dr Ko added.
The Centre for Health Protection this evening identified five more suspected food poisoning clusters, affecting four men and nine women who had eaten "Hung Rui Chen" sandwiches.
The 13 patients, aged one to 79, fell ill after consuming the sandwiches which were ordered online, bought in Taiwan, or at exhibition booths in Wong Tai Sin, from a Tsim Sha Tsui supermarket, or consumed at a Yuen Long restaurant from July 24 to 29.
Six sought medical help but none required hospitalisation.
As of 6pm today, a total of 20 clusters affecting 59 people have been identified.
