As the weather turns chilly, people traditionally like to dine on hotpots, but are being warned to make sure their food is properly cooked to prevent stomach infections.
Taking seafood out of the boiling broth before it is thoroughly cooked means it could still be carrying norovirus, a common cause of food poisoning, the Centre for Health Protection said yesterday.
Children and the elderly should be particularly careful, it said.
The advice from consultant Thomas Tsang Ho-fai came after Tokyo announced on Tuesday that the number of norovirus cases in Japan had reached a 25-year high.
Dr Tsang said the virus peaked in Hong Kong at the beginning of the month, as was usual.
Oysters, in particular, and other raw seafood are a common source of the virus.