Cathay Pacific issues statement on food poisoning case

43 passengers developed symptoms of food poisoning.

Cathay Pacific acknowledged the findings from the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health’s investigation into the two suspected food poisoning cases on Cathay Pacific’s flight CX640 from Kathmandu to Hong Kong on 7 and 8 January 2025.

“From the onset of the incidents, we have been fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, including the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, in their investigations in an open and transparent manner,” Cathay Pacific said.

According to CHP’s investigation, it did not rule out that the food poisoning clusters were caused by beetroot salad contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus served on board the flights.
     
The investigation revealed that a total of 43 passengers (22 men and 21 women) on CX640, which arrived in Hong Kong on January 8 and 9, developed symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, about 10 to 60 minutes after having inflight meals. The affected persons aged between 11 and 75, and none of them required hospitalisation.

Stool samples from two patients tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The overall clinical symptoms and incubation period of the affected persons were compatible with food poisoning caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Cathay said that out of the 57 samples tested by their laboratory, none showed any sign of contamination.

Cathay Pacific confirms that this salad is not served on any of its other flights. Aside from these two cases, there have not been any similar instances of customers experiencing symptoms of suspected food poisoning on any of its recent flights.

Cathay Pacific said it has taken immediate steps to remove the salad from circulation and taken additional measures to reinforce its end-to-end food-handling process and staff training to further strengthen food hygiene, including adopting all recommendations made by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. 

"We would once again like to apologise to all affected customers," Cathay said.