The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 14) announced that a Chinese white cabbage sample was found to contain 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 Chinese white cabbage sample at a market stall in North Point for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained acetamiprid at a level of 3.3 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 2.75 times the maximum residue limit (1.2 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, 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 98 600 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues, and a total of 183 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 so as to safeguard public health. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:30

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