Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has ordered an immediate recall of a specific batch of imported American turkey breast after U.S. authorities reported that the product may have been stored at improper temperatures for an extended period, raising risks of pathogen growth and spoilage. The affected ready-to-eat item—Mckenzie Oil Braised Oven Roasted Turkey Breast—was imported by local firm E-Tech International Limited. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and stop consuming any product from batch number 26175, with a best-before date of September 7, 2027. Anyone who experiences symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea after eating the turkey should seek medical attention immediately.
What Triggered the Recall?
On October 21, 2026, the CFS received a notification from U.S. food safety regulators detailing concerns about a shipment of turkey breast that had allegedly been held at inappropriate temperatures during storage or transport. Such conditions can allow harmful bacteria—including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, or Staphylococcus aureus—to multiply, potentially rendering the product unsafe. The CFS swiftly contacted the local importer, E-Tech International Limited, which confirmed it had brought in the affected batch. The company has now halted sales, removed the item from shelves, and begun a voluntary recall.
Product Details at a Glance
- Product Name: Oil Braised Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- Brand: Mckenzie
- Origin: United States
- Batch Number: 26175
- Best Before Date: 7 September 2027
- Importer: E-Tech International Limited
The CFS stresses that even if the turkey appears normal or smells fine, prolonged temperature abuse could allow invisible pathogens to thrive. Consumers who have purchased this item should discard it or return it to the point of sale.
Health Risks You Need to Know
Improperly stored poultry is a known vector for foodborne illness. According to the CFS, eating contaminated turkey can trigger classic food poisoning symptoms—nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea—usually within hours to a few days. While healthy adults may recover without treatment, vulnerable groups face far graver outcomes. Older adults, infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at heightened risk of severe complications, including dehydration, sepsis, or even life-threatening infections.
“Maintaining the cold chain is critical for ready-to-eat meats,” a CFS spokesperson noted. “Once the temperature rises above safe levels for an extended period, bacterial growth can accelerate exponentially, and the product may no longer be safe to eat even if cooked again.”
How to Respond if You Have the Product
E-Tech International has set up a hotline for consumer inquiries: 2526 2371 (available during business hours). The company advises anyone who purchased the affected turkey to:
- Stop eating it immediately.
- Check the batch number and best-before date.
- Return the product to the store or contact the importer for disposal instructions.
- Monitor for any symptoms and consult a doctor if unwell.
Broader Implications for Food Safety
This recall is part of a string of recent CFS actions targeting imported items with quality or safety lapses. In the past months, the authority has also flagged a local food factory for excessive bacterial counts in pickled vegetables, a tofu producer for elevated Bacillus cereus levels in fermented bean curd, and a shipment of frozen shrimp containing banned veterinary drugs. Together, these cases underscore the importance of rigorous temperature control across the supply chain—from overseas processing plants to Hong Kong’s retail shelves.
For consumers, the takeaway is clear: always verify storage instructions on packaged meats, keep refrigerators at or below 4°C, and never rely solely on appearance or smell to judge safety. When in doubt, throw it out.
Next Steps
The CFS continues to monitor the recall and will issue updates if further batches are affected. Consumers can stay informed by visiting the CFS website or following its press releases. For now, anyone with the Mckenzie turkey breast in their freezer or fridge should act promptly to avoid unnecessary risk.