The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 26) announced that malachite green was found in a bighead carp sample. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned bighead carp sample from a stall in Pei Ho Street Market, Sham Shui Po, for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained malachite green at a level of 0.8 parts per billion."

     The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the stall concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales of the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the product concerned.

     Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infections in fish. Currently, malachite green has been prohibited for use in food-producing animals in many countries. 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 liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     ​The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:34

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