Hong Kong asks people not to eat meat products

HONG KONG - Hong Kong authorities Monday advised people not to eat ready-to-eat meat products produced in Canada, as they suspect those may be contaminated with bacteria.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said the manufacturer of the affected products - G. Brandt Meat Packers Ltd - from Canada has received a notification from Canadian authorities recalling the products exported to Hong Kong, after they were reportedly found contaminated with salmonella and listeria.

The CFS advised people who had bought the affected products not to consume them, or if they had eaten the products to seek medical advice.

Salmonella is a pathogen that causes food poisoning. The symptoms include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Exposure to listeria cells has severe effects on newborns, elderly people and those with weak immunity and could even led to miscarriages in pregnant women.