***************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (December 2) released the findings of its food safety report for October. Of the 6,000 food samples tested, 28 were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.5%.
A CFS spokesman said that about 4,700 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 1,200 for microbiological and other tests.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and the chemical tests detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination and colouring matters, etc.
The samples included vegetables, fruits and their products; meat, poultry and their products; aquatic products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables, fruits and products
--------------------------------
About 2,800 samples of vegetables, fruits and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. Three samples were found unsatisfactory. One sample of curry vegetarian food was found to contain a pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, at a level of 140,000 per gramme. One sample of dried apple ring was found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level of 1,570 parts per million (ppm) exceeding the legal limit of 1,000ppm. Another sample of fresh mushroom was found to contain a metal contaminant, cadmium, at a level of 0.47ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm.
Results of other tests (e.g. pesticides and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
"Clostridium perfringens might cause gastrointestinal upset such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The sulphur dioxide found in the dried apple ring sample is of low toxicity and will not cause adverse health effects. However, for individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea. Normal consumption of fresh mushrooms with the same detected level of cadmium is unlikely to cause significant health effects. But long-term consumption of excessive amount of fresh mushrooms with the same level of cadmium may affect the kidneys," the spokesman said.
Meat, poultry and products
--------------------------
About 700 samples of meat, poultry and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. One sample of fresh beef was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative, which is not permitted in fresh meat (including chilled and frozen meat), at a level of 3,600ppm.
The spokesman pointed out that the sample was taken as a follow-up on a complaint against the sale of meat suspected to contain sulphur dioxide. The CFS issued a warning letter to the concerned fresh provision shop and will take prosecution action. Upon conviction, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will suspend or cancel the vendor's license according to the department's demerit points system.
One sample of almond crispy meat fiber was found to contain another preservative, nitrate, at a level of 1064.7ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 500ppm. The spokesman said that nitrate was of low toxicity and would not cause adverse health effects. The vendor has stopped selling the product concerned. The CFS will collect further samples for tests if sale resumes.
One sample of frozen chicken fillet was found to contain the non-permitted metronidazole at a level of 0.018ppm. The spokesman said that normal consumption of the products with the same detected level of metronidazole was unlikely to pose adverse health effects. The vendor has stopped selling the concerned product.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
----------------
About 700 samples, including fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products, were analysed for micro-organisms and chemicals. One sample of prepackaged ready-to-eat smoked salmon was detected with a pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. The spokesman said that Listeria monocytogenes could cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and fever. While healthy individuals rarely develop symptoms, the effects on pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with lowered immunity could be severe, including miscarriage and meningitis.
"The CFS has informed the exporting country of the test result. Samples of smoked salmon collected later in another batch were also found unsatisfactory. The CFS took immediate follow-up action and announced the findings in early November. The retailer and importer concerned have stopped selling the affected products," he said.
Additionally, one sample of spotted snakehead was found to contain a non-permitted veterinary drug residue, AOZ, at a level of 0.021ppm. Another sample of the same consignment was found to contain the forbidden malachite green at a level of 0.494ppm. "Normal consumption of the product with the same detected levels of AOZ or malachite green is unlikely to pose adverse health effects," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. preservatives, colouring matters, metallic contamination and biotoxins) were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
------------------------------------------
The CFS took about 600 samples including ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for microbiological and chemical analyses. Eighteen samples of nine flavours from the consignment of frozen confections which entered Hong Kong for the first time were found to be unsatisfactory, exceeding the legal limits of Coliform organisms and total bacterial count of 100 per gramme and 50,000 per gramme respectively. Among them, Coliform organisms ranging from 140 to 900 per gramme and total bacterial counts ranging from 92,000 to 6,200,000 per gramme were found.
"The samples were collected at the import level. The importer has surrendered the affected products for disposal and no affected products have entered the market," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, melamine, preservatives, colouring matters, sweeteners and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
----------------------------
About 100 samples including rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal underwent microbiological and chemical tests. All the samples were satisfactory.
Other food commodities
----------------------
The CFS took about 1,100 samples, including beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests.
One cake sample was found to contain a pathogen, Bacillus cereus, at a level of 590,000 per gramme, exceeding the legal limit of 10,000. Bacillus cereus, the spokesman said, may cause gastrointestinal upset such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Conclusion
----------
The detection of samples with pathogens indicated that some food manufacturing and handling processes were unhygienic. The food trade should always follow the "Five Keys to Food Safety" during food preparation to prevent food borne diseases.
The CFS spokesman also urged the food trade to comply with legal requirements and use permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if needed.
Importers should source frozen confections from reliable food manufacturers while manufacturers should ensure that the process of producing frozen confections is hygienic, including proper disinfection of the equipment.
He also advised consumers to patronise reliable shops when buying food and to maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk. Vegetables should be soaked and washed thoroughly before consumption to remove any cadmium on the surfaces. Food not for immediate consumption should be kept at safe temperatures.
The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the unsatisfactory samples, including asking the vendors concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
Ends/Thursday, December 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:52
NNNN
