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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 7) announced that an eel sample was found to contain a trace amount of malachite green. Follow-up is in progress.
A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the eel sample from a fresh provision shop (English name not available) in Tai Ping Market, East Point Centre, 1046-1056 King's Road, Quarry Bay, under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained malachite green at a level of 4.6 parts per billion.
"Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infections in fish. Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemical in food fish. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction."
The CFS has taken follow-up action, including informing the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructing it to stop sale of the affected batch of the product. According to the information provided by the vendor, there was no remaining stock of the affected batch. The CFS will trace the source and distribution of the affected product.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:29
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