Hong Kong, January 9 – The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has launched an investigation into a food poisoning incident involving passengers on Cathay Pacific flight CX640, which arrived from Nepal to Hong Kong. This marks the second food poisoning cluster identified in just two days on flights operated by the same airline from the same region. The source of the contamination remains under investigation.
The latest incident follows an earlier report on January 8, which detailed a similar case involving 16 passengers on a flight from Kathmandu to Hong Kong. Both flights were operated by Cathay Pacific.
Symptoms and Affected Passengers
The affected passengers aboard flight CX640, which was bound for Hong Kong from Nepal, numbered 20 and came from separate family groups. All individuals reported experiencing common food poisoning symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, and fever, shortly after landing in Hong Kong.
Food Safety Under Scrutiny
Initial investigations by the CHP have raised suspicions that the in-flight meals may be responsible for the outbreak. However, Cathay Pacific has denied that the food was a contributing factor. The airline has confirmed that all meals were stored at “appropriate temperatures and conditions.”
Despite this, further attention has been directed toward a beetroot salad, which was included in the menu on both flights. This item, which requires substantial manual preparation, is not typically reheated before serving. As a precaution, the beetroot salad has been removed from the menu until the investigation is completed.
Ongoing Investigation
The CHP has collected samples from the airline’s in-flight meals for additional testing. In a statement, the airline emphasized its commitment to high standards of food safety and hygiene.
“We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will continue to assist in the investigation. The safety and well-being of our passengers is of utmost importance,” said a spokesperson for Cathay Pacific.
Cathay Pacific’s Commitment to Passenger Safety
Cathay Pacific is known for its personalized in-flight meal offerings, which recently gained attention through a new collaboration announcement. The airline remains focused on maintaining rigorous safety protocols as it works to resolve this issue.
The CHP has urged anyone who was affected by these incidents to seek medical attention and report symptoms to health authorities. Further updates on the investigation are expected as more information becomes available.