Food poisoning outbreak at Mong Kok's Muwu BBQ sees 8 fall ill

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is investigating three epidemiologically linked food poisoning cases involving eight people who fell sick after eating at Muwu BBQ, a famous Mainland barbecue chain.

Initial investigations revealed that the three incidents, which occurred at the Mong Kok store from last Wednesday (Jun 19) to Friday (Jun 21), are suspectedly caused by norovirus and Salmonella after eight people consumed food including grilled oysters and grilled lamb kebabs.

The first case involved two women, aged 17 and 48, who developed vomiting, diarrhea, and fever about 33 to 43 hours after having dinner at the restaurant on June 19.

The second cluster affected two men and two women aged between 30 and 49 as they developed similar symptoms about 33 to 56 hours after their supper at the same store a day later.

The third case involved a man and a woman, aged 24 and 20, who developed similar symptoms about 34 to 37 hours after having dinner at the restaurant on June 21.

Four of the eight affected have sought medical advice, none required hospitalization and all are in stable condition.

Officers from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) inspected the restaurant last night (June 24) and ordered the suspension of the sale of relevant food. They also instructed a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises.

The investigations of the CHP and the CFS are ongoing.

Established in 2003 in Shenzhen, Muwu BBQ is a popular barbecue brand with more than 400 chain stores in 20 cities on the Mainland that offers barbecue and skewers at affordable prices. It officially opened its Hong Kong stores in Mong Kok and Shek Tong Tsui in April.

The Invest Hong Kong in April welcomed Muwu BBQ's opening of two stores in the city, with the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion for InvestHK Jimmy Chiang said it shows the chain's confidence in the city's vibrant food and beverage industry as well as its commitment to expand globally via Hong Kong.