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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 12) that the Centre has banned the import of salted fish produced by two manufacturers in Thailand with immediate effect as their salted-fish products were found to contain pesticide residues earlier. The CFS also announced that durian samples imported from Thailand were found to contain excessive pesticides residues and a colouring matter which should not be added to fruit and vegetables in a raw and unprocessed state. Follow-up is in progress.
"The Centre detected pesticide residues, dichlorvos, in five samples of loose-pack salted fish imported from Thailand earlier and has informed the Thailand authorities of the incident. Follow-up investigation by the CFS found that the salted fish in question came from two producers in Thailand, Sin New Lucky Co Ltd and Pasit Goldent Union Foods (2009) - Co, Ltd. As the two producers have yet to provide information on implementation of appropriate remedial measures, the CFS, for the sake of prudence, has banned the import of salted fish produced by the two manufacturers with immediate effect, until the relevant authorities provide a detailed investigation report to ensure their products are in compliance with the legal requirements of Hong Kong. According to the law, the food concerned should not contain pesticide residues," a CFS spokesman said.
In addition, following up on recent media reports on the use of chemicals to accelerate the ripening of Thai durians, the CFS has collected 30 durian samples at the import, wholesale and retail levels for testing. Test results showed that the husks of 10 samples contain curcumin, a colouring matter, and three samples were detected to contain excessive residues of ethephon.
"Turmeric (curcumin) is a rhizomatour herbaceous perennial plant. According to the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations (Cap 132H), although colouring matter can be added to processed food, it should not be added to meat, game, poultry, fish, fruit or vegetable in a raw and unprocessed state. Upon conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months," the spokesman said.
"Although curcumin is a food colour of low-toxicity, the law has a stringent requirement on its use, the trade should observe the relevant laws and regulations, follow Good Manufacturing Practice and use food additives in an appropriate manner," he said.
For the three durian samples with excessive pesticide residues, they were detected to contain ethephon at levels of 5.4 parts per million (ppm), 5.6 ppm and 6.6 ppm, i.e. 2.7 times, 2.8 times and 3.3 times the maximum residue limit (2 ppm) respectively.
"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the samples, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption," the spokesman said.
Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
General speaking, removing the shells of hard-shelled fruits upon consumption can reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the spokesman noted.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory samples, including instructing the vendors concerned to stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products, tracing the sources and distribution of the food in question and stepping up sample testing. The Centre has informed the Thailand authorities. It will also alert the local trade, continue to follow up and take appropriate actions to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Friday, June 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 23:19
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