******************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 30) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. Of the 8,500 food samples tested, eight samples were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent. The unsatisfactory samples, which include vegetables, fresh chicken, an aquatic product, Chinese cold dishes and pork sauce, failed to pass chemical and microbiological tests. The test results for three of them were announced earlier.
A CFS spokesman said about 2,400 food samples had been taken for chemical tests. Some 1,100 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 5,000 (including about 4,600 samples taken from food imported from Japan) for testing of radiation levels.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators while the chemical tests aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues, plasticisers and others.
The samples included vegetables and fruits and their products; meat and poultry and their products; aquatic and related products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables, fruits and their products
-------------------------------------
The CFS took about 2,000 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analyses.
One sample of Chinese flowering cabbage was detected to contain Isoprocarb, a pesticide, at a level of 3.5 parts per million (ppm).
The spokesman said, "Based on the level of the pesticide detected, occasional consumption will not pose any adverse health effect. Nevertheless, adverse impact on the nervous system cannot be ruled out upon long-term consumption."
Furthermore, a Chinese wolfberry sample was found to contain a metal contaminant, cadmium, at a level of 0.24 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm. The spokesman noted that, based on the level detected, it is unlikely that the sample would pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption.
The remaining samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens and preservatives) were all satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and their products
--------------------------------
The CFS completed the testing of about 500 samples, including fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food establishments, and meat- and poultry-made products such as Chinese preserved meat, sausages and ham.
A sample of fresh chicken was found to contain residues of two veterinary drugs, Chlortetracycline and Oxytetracycline, at respective levels of 170 parts per billion (ppb) and 180 ppb, exceeding the legal limit of 100 ppb.
The spokesman said, "Based on the level of the veterinary drug residues detected, it is unlikely that the sample would pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption."
The remaining samples for other tests (e.g. pesticides, preservatives and colouring matters) were all satisfactory.
Aquatic and related products
----------------------------
The CFS took some 1,200 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab and squid and their products for analyses. A raw oyster sample was found to contain norovirus nucleic acid. "Norovirus may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and low-grade fever," the spokesman said.
The remaining samples for other tests (e.g. preservatives, metallic contamination, biotoxins and veterinary drug residues) were all satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
------------------------------------------
About 500 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products were collected for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Cereals, grains and their products
----------------------------------
The CFS took about 500 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereals for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
----------------------
The CFS took about 3,900 food samples consisting of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests.
Other than three unsatisfactory samples of Chinese cold dishes (including "mala" beef, spicy shredded chicken and vegetarian fine spiced duck) found to contain pathogens, a sample of pork sauce was found to contain Sudan dye II, a colouring matter not permitted in food.
Samples for other tests (e.g. metallic contaminants and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Conclusion
----------
The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the unsatisfactory samples including tracing the sources of the food items, asking the vendors concerned to stop the sale and dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up food samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
The spokesman reminded consumers to patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk.
He said fruit and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet as they are good sources of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. To remove contaminants and pesticides adhered to the surface, consumers can wash and soak fruit and vegetables thoroughly, blanch them in boiling water for one minute and discard the water afterwards, and remove the outer leaves or peel the vegetables as appropriate.
He also advised the trade to comply with the legal requirements, follow good manufacturing practice and only use permitted food additives in an appropriate manner, and observe the "Five Keys to Food Safety" to minimise the risk of food poisoning. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system in accordance with the Food Safety Ordinance to allow source tracing if needed.
Ends/Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:31
NNNN
