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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (December 30) released the findings of its food safety report for November. Of about 10 700 food samples tested, 27 were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.7 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 4 300 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 1 100 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining around 5 300 (including about 5 200 samples taken from food imported from Japan) for testing radiation levels.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens while the chemical tests aimed to detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and plasticisers, etc.
The samples included vegetables and fruits and their products; meat and poultry and their products; aquatic products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables, fruits and their products
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The CFS took about 3 700 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis.
One sample of Chinese flowering cabbage was found to contain a pesticide carbofuran at a level of 2.3 parts per million (ppm). The spokesman said, "Based on the risk assessment result, it cannot be ruled out that consumption of the concerned vegetable sample may affect the nervous system. While thorough washing and soaking of vegetables, blanching vegetables in boiling water for one minute (discarding the water used for blanching) and removing the outer leaves can reduce the pesticide residues.
"The CFS informed the relevant Mainland authority. If the vegetable concerned re-enters Hong Kong, it will be held for tests at the import level again," he said.
One sample of raisins was detected to contain a preservative sulphur dioxide at a level of 3,110 ppm exceeding the legal limit of 1,500 ppm. "Sulphur dioxide is of low toxicity. The detected level of the preservative in the raisin is unlikely to pose any adverse health effect to consumers upon normal consumption. However, for individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea," the spokesman said.
Furthermore, three vegetable samples were found to contain a metal contaminant, cadmium, at levels exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm. They comprised an asparagus sample (0.19 ppm), a Chinese flowering cabbage sample (0.14 ppm), and a cabbage sample (0.18 ppm).
Upon normal consumption, it is unlikely that the above vegetables with cadmium at the detected levels will pose any adverse health effects to consumers, the spokesman said, adding that thorough soaking and washing can remove cadmium from the surface of the vegetables.
The remaining samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens) were satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and their products
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The CFS took about 500 samples of fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food premises, and meat- and poultry-made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausage and ham, for tests.
Two fresh beef samples were found containing sulphur dioxide, a preservative that is not permitted in fresh, chilled and frozen meat. The samples were taken as a follow-up on two unsatisfactory samples detected earlier. The CFS has issued warning letters to the concerned fresh provision shops and will take prosecution action.
"Since sulphur dioxide is water soluble, thorough washing, soaking and cooking can remove most of it," the spokesman said.
Samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took about 1 100 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses.
Two geoduck samples taken at the import level were found containing a biotoxin and a paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin, at levels of 93 and 131 microgrammes per 100 grammes respectively. The paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin may cause neurological symptoms such as numbness of extremities and mouth, said the spokesman.
According to the importers concerned, the affected products have been re-exported and none has entered the local market.
All the remaining samples passed the tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives, metallic contamination, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters).
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 500 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests.
The total bacterial count of 15 samples collected at the import level, which belonged to the same brand, exceeded the legal limit of 30,000. They include 10 samples of full cream milk (from 38,000 to 30,000,000 per gramme), four samples of reduced fat milk beverage (from 20,000,000 to 37,000,000 per gramme), and one sample of whipping cream (60,000 per gramme).
The colony count of one sample of skimmed milk beverage was found to exceed the legal limit of 10.
"Total bacterial count and colony count are hygienic indicators. The batches of the affected products mentioned above were marked and sealed by the CFS. None of them have entered the market," said the spokesman.
Results of all other tests (e.g. pathogens, melamine, preservatives, colouring matters, sweeteners and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and their products
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The CFS took some 400 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for analyses. All samples passed the tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives and metallic contaminants).
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 4 500 food samples of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
One turnip pudding was detected to contain Clostridium perfringens at a level of 28,000 per gramme. The spokesman said, "Intake of food with excessive amount of Clostridium perfringens may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea."
One sample of steak and chop with garlic and cracked black pepper sauce was found to contain two preservatives, benzoic acid and sorbic acid at levels of 780 ppm and 630 ppm respectively. The total level of the two preservatives detected exceeded the legal limit of 1,000 ppm.
"The two preservatives are of low toxicity and it is unlikely that it would pose any adverse health effect to consumers upon normal consumption," the spokesman said.
Conclusion
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Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up actions including asking the vendors concerned to stop selling the products and to dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
The spokesman advised consumers to patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers, and adopt a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive intake of certain harmful substances as a result of frequent consumption of a small range of food items.
Additionally, importers should source milk products from reliable food manufacturers. Manufacturers should ensure that their product production processes are hygienic and include proper disinfection of the equipment. They should also pay attention to temperature control during transportation.
Food trade operators should comply with the legal requirements, follow Good Manufacturing Practice, and use permitted food additives in an appropriate manner. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if needed.
"The Food Safety Ordinance which introduces a food tracing mechanism is now effective. Upon the expiry of the grace period by the end of next month (January 31), any person who does not register but carries on a food importation or distribution business; or fails to comply with the record-keeping requirement commits an offence," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:40
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