The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 23) announced that an orange sample was found to have pesticide residue at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the orange sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained profenofos at a level of 0.22 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 2.2 times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm).

     "Based on the level of pesticide residue detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption," he added.

     Generally speaking, rinsing fruit thoroughly under running water can reduce the level of pesticide residues. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the fruit can be peeled.

     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 93 900 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues, and a total of 178 vegetable and fruit samples (including the unsatisfactory sample announced today) have been detected as having excessive pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.2 per cent.

     The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source and distribution of the food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Monday, January 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:25

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