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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 30 marine fish samples today (August 17) and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 440 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted so far have suggested that the pellet incident has not caused an adverse impact on food safety.
Although the food safety risk is low, members of the public should check and clean fish thoroughly and remove all internal organs before cooking.
Due to inclement weather conditions, operations to clean up plastic pellets scattered on beaches at locations such as Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Marine Department could not continue today. Unless adverse weather conditions persist, cleaning operations will resume tomorrow.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department collected 6 kilograms of plastic pellets at Silver Mine Bay Beach during today's clean-up operation.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today received reports by mariculturists that a bag of plastic pellets weighing 25kg was found at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been collected. No abnormal activity or abnormal death of fish has been reported.
The Marine Police continue to assist in locating the scattered plastic pellets. They reported the presence of plastic pellets at Tung O Wan, Lamma Island, and collected 12 bags of plastic pellets weighing 25kg each near Mui Wo Ferry Pier. The relevant departments have cleaned up the scattered pellets in the vicinity, and will continue to monitor the accumulation of pellets in various locations.
A Government spokesman said that the Government will continue its inter-departmental monitoring operations. Clean-up action will be carried out as soon as plastic pellets are detected so as to minimise the impact of the incident on the environment, food safety and human health.
Ends/Friday, August 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:18
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