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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (December 30) released the findings of its food safety report for November. Of the 7,100 food samples tested, 17 were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.8%.
A CFS spokesman said that about 5,300 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 1,800 for microbiological and other tests. Among the 17 unsatisfactory samples, the test results of two samples of prepackaged ready-to-eat smoked salmon were announced on November 4 while a sample of mandarin fish with pine nuts in sweet and sour sauce was announced on Tuesday (December 28).
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
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The CFS took about 3,300 samples of vegetables, fruits and their products for microbiological and chemical analyses. Seven samples were found to be unsatisfactory. One sample of curry vegetarian food was found to contain a pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, at a level of 15,000,000 per gramme.
On preservatives, one sample of pickled sweet ginger and one sample of dried raisin were found to contain sulphur dioxide, with the former at a level of 197 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 100ppm, and the latter at a level of 3,940ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 1,000ppm.
On metallic contamination, four samples were found to contain cadmium exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm. Among them, three samples of Chinese flowering cabbage were at levels between 0.13ppm and 0.42ppm, and one sample of taro at a level of 0.17ppm.
Results of other tests (e.g. pesticides and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
"The curry vegetarian food sample was taken to follow up on an unsatisfactory sample reported in the food safety report for October. Clostridium perfringens might cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The sulphur dioxide found in the pickled sweet ginger sample and the dried raisin sample are 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 Chinese flowering cabbages or taro with the same detected levels of cadmium is unlikely to cause significant health effects. But long-term consumption of an excessive amount of Chinese flowering cabbages or taro with the same levels of cadmium may affect the kidneys," the spokesman said.
Meat, poultry and products
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The CFS took about 600 samples of meat, poultry and their products for microbiological and chemical analyses. 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 37ppm.
The spokesman said the sample was taken to follow up on an unsatisfactory sample reported in the food safety report for October. The CFS issued another warning letter to the concerned fresh provision shop and will take further prosecution action. Upon conviction, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will suspend or cancel the vendor's licence according to the department's demerit points system.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, colouring matters and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took about 600 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for microbiological and chemical analyses. Two samples of prepackaged ready-to-eat smoked salmon were 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 smoked salmon samples were taken to follow up on three unsatisfactory samples reported earlier. The CFS took further samples at the import level for testing of Listeria monocytogenes when the concerned importer imported a new consignment of prepackaged ready-to-eat smoked salmon. Two samples were found to be unsatisfactory. No affected products have entered the market. The CFS also informed the relevant authority of the export country again. The retailer and importer concerned have suspended selling the affected products. If the products re-enter Hong Kong, they will be held for tests at the import level again," he said.
Results of other tests (e.g. preservatives, colouring matters, metallic contamination, biotoxins and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 1,200 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for microbiological and chemical analyses. One sample of thickened cream, one sample of thickened light cream and one sample of pure cream were found to contain a total bacterial count of 39,000,000 per gramme, 43,000,000 per gramme and 48,000 per gramme respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 30,000 per gramme.
"The samples were collected at the import level. 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
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The CFS took about 100 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for microbiological and chemical analyses. All the samples were satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 1,400 samples of beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
Other than the unsatisfactory sample of mandarin fish with pine nuts in sweet and sour sauce announced earlier, one sample of curry powder was found to contain non-permitted colouring matter, Sudan dyes (Sudan I and IV).
Conclusion
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The CFS spokesman 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 milk products from reliable food manufacturers while manufacturers should ensure that the process of producing milk products is hygienic, including proper disinfection of the equipment. They should also pay attention to temperature control during transportation.
The spokesman 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.
The CFS has taken follow-up action 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 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:31
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