Pesticide residues exceed legal limits in white radish and baby asparagus samples
*********************************************************************************
A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned white radish sample from a market stall in Tai Po and the baby asparagus sample from a supermarket in Hung Hom for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the white radish sample contained cyhalothrin at a level of 0.073 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 7.3 times the maximum residue limit (0.01 ppm), and the baby asparagus sample contained chlorpyrifos at a level of 0.07 ppm, i.e. 1.4 times the maximum residue limit (0.05 ppm).
"Based on the levels of the pesticide residues detected in the samples, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption," he added.
Generally speaking, to reduce pesticide residues in vegetables, members of the public can rinse vegetables several times under running water, then soak them in water for one hour, or blanch them in boiling water for one minute and discard the water. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the outer leaves or peel of the vegetables can also be removed as appropriate.
Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
Since the regulation came into effect on August 1, 2014, the CFS has taken over 89 000 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues, and a total of 176 vegetable and fruit samples (including the unsatisfactory samples announced today) have been detected as having excessive pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.3 per cent.
The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory results, including tracing the sources and distribution of the food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Friday, December 9, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:30
Issued at HKT 17:30
NNNN