After a sample taken from the packaging of prepackaged frozen crocodile spare ribs imported from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19, the Centre for Food Safety has requested the vendor to stop selling the product and provide samples for testing.

The positive sample was collected at the residence of a COVID-19 patient.

The centre noted that the source of the virus on the sample is still unknown and it will follow up on the Department of Health's investigation.

To prevent the COVID-19 virus from entering Hong Kong through imported frozen foods, the centre has stepped up precautionary testing measures, including testing of various types of frozen foods and their packaging imported from different countries and regions, which involves taking samples at the Airport Food Inspection Offices and cold stores of importers.

As at the end of May, over 10,000 samples of food and their packaging were collected. All test results were negative, including those for more than 40 related crocodile products imported from Thailand.