The government on Friday linked a Spanish company to a raw oyster food-poisoning outbreak, ordering Hong Kong's food and beverage industry to stop trading with it.

Since the beginning of the month, 37 people have fallen ill after eating raw oysters, prompting the government to stop imports from four companies.

In a statement, the Centre for Food Safety and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said they had ordered a halt to the importation and sale of oysters from the Spanish company Mariscos Escacha. They also said they had contacted Spanish authorities about the matter.

Authorities here have already ordered a stop to oyster imports from Seojun Mulsan of South Korea, Jeton International, and 88 Investments.

Inspections have also been stepped up, with a focus on storage temperatures and conditions, supply sources, and staff personal hygiene.

The Centre for Food Safety reminded the public that oysters feed by filtering seawater, and viruses may accumulate in them if they are grown in contaminated water.