CFS follows up on suspected forged health certificates

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     The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (CFS) said today (February 8) that it has been actively following up on the suspected forged health certificates relating to local importer Supreme Fine Food Limited. During follow-up investigation, the CFS has detected discrepancies of one more health certificate submitted by the importer. The CFS had immediately contacted the authority of the relevant country and confirmed the health certificate as a suspected forged health certificate. The CFS had also implemented tracing and follow up measures and referred the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for investigation.

     There are about 520 kilograms of Irish raw oysters involved in the suspected forged health certificate and all of them have been distributed to other vendors. The CFS is tracing the distribution of the affected product. Investigation is still ongoing. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS had earlier followed up an incident of suspected forged health certificates submitted by the importer. Follow up investigation revealed that there is one more suspected forged health certificate, with the serial number KBG/IEMO0036EC/02012023/001. Trade members who had purchased the affected consignments can call the hotline of the importer concerned at 2811 8268 during office hours for enquiries."

     Meanwhile, the CFS had stepped up inspection of all health certificates of the raw oysters imported by the importer concerned. During the investigation of the incident of February 2, 2023 and the current incident, the CFS has collected two raw oyster samples from related food premises for testing of norovirus. The results are satisfactory. The food premises have discarded the remaining raw oysters.

     The spokesman pointed out that the CFS request the authorities of the relevant country to continue in depth investigation of the incident and provide prompt investigation results for prevention of future recurrence. The CFS will keep close collaboration with the authorities of the relevant country and the Hong Kong Police Force to follow up the matters and carry out appropriate actions.

Ends/Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 22:32

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