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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (February 29) released the findings of its food safety report for January 2012. Of the 9,200 food samples tested, only one was found unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 3,700 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 1,700 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 3,900 (including 3,200 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 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 2,800 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and their products
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The CFS took about 1,000 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. The results were all satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 1,100 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses.
A frozen fish fillet sample was detected to contain a metallic contaminant, mercury, at a level of 1.27 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.
The spokesman said, "Occasional consumption of fish fillet with mercury at the detected level will not cause adverse health effect, but consumption on a long-term basis may affect the nervous system."
All the remaining samples passed the other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives, biotoxins, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters).
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 1,000 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests. All samples were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and their products
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The CFS took some 200 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 3,100 food samples of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses. Results were all satisfactory.
Conclusion
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The CFS has taken follow-up action on the unsatisfactory sample, including issuing a warning letter to the vendor concerned and requesting the vendor to stop selling the affected product. All the remaining products were marked and sealed by the CFS and re-exported back to the country of origin by the vendor concerned. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
The spokesman pointed out that fish contained many essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and high quality proteins. Appropriate consumption of a variety of fish is recommended. Since pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children are more susceptible to the effects of mercury, they should avoid consuming large predatory fish.
He also advised consumers to 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.
Food trade operators should comply with the legal requirements, including using permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner and following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers. The spokesman also reminded all traders to maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing when necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:38
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