The Centre for Food Safety has found a prepackaged frozen half-shell scallop sample to contain a paralytic toxin.

The product weighs 0.88 pounds and has a product number 14272, and a use-by date of "31-12-2010". The sample was taken from Kai Bo Food Supermarket, Shop 17G1, G/F United Building, 1-7 Wu Kwong Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon.

The centre has alerted traders and is tracing the source. It has issued a warning letter to the supermarket and directed it to stop selling the product. Consumers who have bought it should not eat it.

The toxin is a natural toxin sometimes found in bi-valve shellfish. It is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed through cooking. It can cause numbness and gastrointestinal discomfort. In severe cases, paralysis with respiratory arrest and even death can occur.