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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 28) released the findings of its food safety report for August. Of the 11,000 food samples tested, seven were found unsatisfactory (one was announced earlier) and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 4,300 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 2,000 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 4,800 (including about 4,600 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 at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and plasticisers and others.
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 2,700 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis.
One sample of longan was detected with a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level of 240 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 50 ppm.
"Normal consumption of the above fruit sample with sulphur dioxide at the detected level will not pose adverse health effects to consumers. However, for individuals who are allergic to it, symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache or nausea may develop," the spokesman said.
All the remaining samples passed other tests (e.g. pathogens, pesticides and metallic contamination).
Meat, poultry and their products
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The CFS completed the testing of 900 samples, including fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food establishments, and meat- and poultry-made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausages and ham.
Other than the sample of drunken chicken found to contain the pathogen Salmonella announced earlier this month, all samples were satisfactory for tests like preservatives, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 1,500 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses.
One sample each of swordfish sashimi, frozen swordfish, frozen shark fin edge and frozen ling fillet were found to contain a metallic contaminant, mercury, at levels of 1.17 ppm, 1.08 ppm, 1.03 ppm and 1.38 ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.
"Based on the levels of mercury detected in the swordfish sashimi, frozen swordfish and frozen shark fin edge, normal consumption is unlikely to pose adverse health effect on consumers. For the frozen ling fillet with mercury at the detected level, occasional consumption should not cause any adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis may affect the nervous system," the spokesman said.
Samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 1,300 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests.
One sample of cheese was found to contain a preservative, sodium nitrite, at a level of 24 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 10 ppm.
"Normal consumption of the above cheese sample with sodium nitrite at the detected level will not pose adverse health effects to consumers," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, melamine, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and their products
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The CFS took some 500 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereals for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 4,100 food samples consisting of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests. All samples passed the tests.
Conclusion
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The CFS has taken follow-up actions on all 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.
The spokesman advised consumers to buy longan from reliable market stalls, fresh provision shops and food premises. They should thoroughly wash and gently rub longan under running water, and avoid biting the husk of longan when eating the fruit.
"Fish contain many essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and high quality proteins. Moderate consumption of a variety of fish is recommended. Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children are the people susceptible to being affected by mercury. When choosing fish for food, they should avoid eating large predatory fish," he said.
"Babies aged below 6 months should avoid consumption of processed food, like cheese and cured meats, with nitrates added as food additives", he added.
The spokesman also reminded the trade to follow good manufacturing practice. If they have to use food additives, they should use permitted ones in an appropriate manner. They should maintain a good recording system in accordance with the Food Safety Ordinance to allow source tracing if needed to safeguard public health.
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:46
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