Health officials in Hong Kong are investigating a series of suspected food poisoning cases tied to a popular Mainland Chinese barbecue restaurant chain that recently expanded to the city.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said they are looking into three separate incidents involving a total of eight people who fell ill after dining at the Mong Kok location of Muwu BBQ between June 19 and June 21.
Initial investigations suggest the cases may be linked to norovirus and Salmonella, with the affected individuals reporting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and fever after consuming menu items like grilled oysters and lamb kebabs.
The first incident on June 19 sickened two women aged 17 and 48, while the second on June 20 impacted two men and two women between 30 and 49 years old. In the third case on June 21, a 24-year-old man and 20-year-old woman developed similar symptoms.
Four of the eight people sought medical attention, though none required hospitalization and all are said to be in stable condition.
Inspectors from the Centre for Food Safety visited the Mong Kok restaurant on June 24 and ordered a halt to the sale of the implicated menu items, as well as a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The investigations by health authorities are ongoing.
Established in 2003 in Shenzhen, Muwu BBQ has over 400 locations across 20 cities in Mainland China and officially opened its first two Hong Kong outposts in Mong Kok and Shek Tong Tsui this past April. The company’s expansion into the city was welcomed by InvestHK, which cited the chain’s confidence in Hong Kong’s vibrant food and beverage industry.
source: Centre for Health Protection (CHP)
