Eat safe: The Government is considering more stringent measures to ensure fish tank water quality.

A licensing system for live seafood wholesalers is being considered to ensure food safety and fish tank water quality.

This was the message from Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Eddy Chan on a radio talk show today.

The move follows the discovery of vibrio cholerae in a water sample taken recently from a Pok Fu Lam supermarket fish tank.

Mr Chan said the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has stepped up inspections and testing of water samples.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has also strengthened its surveillance efforts on fish tank water.

Mr Chan said the Government will review the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) and Public Health (Animals & Birds) Ordinance (Cap 139) to enhance regulations on fish tank water quality.

While live fish traders have taken measures to disinfect fish tank water, he urged the public to cook seafood thoroughly before consumption to guard against food-borne illness.

Water samples from re-opened fish stalls to be tested

Commenting on PARKnSHOP's decision of re-opening all its fish stalls except the one in Chi Fu Fa Yuen next week, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said it is entirely a commercial decision of the company.

The department is taking water samples from fish tanks in all the 1,700 fish stalls over the territory to test for vibrio cholerae. It will take water samples for testing also from the re-opened fish stalls of PARKnSHOP next week. 

The investigation into the discovery of vibrio cholerae in fish tank water at Chi Fu Fa Yuen is still in progress, the department said, adding that it will not allow the fish stall to reopen until it is completely satisfied with the hygienic conditions there.

For more details on cholera prevention, click here.