***********************************
Results of tests on 39 vegetable samples collected earlier from a number of supermarkets for examination of pesticide residues were found to be satisfactory, a spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (May 6).
The tests were arranged following survey findings released by an environmental concern group which allegedly found excessive pesticide residues in some vegetables sold in local supermarkets.
The 39 tested samples included vegetables and pulses and the examination comprised some 70 pesticides, including DDT, lindane, hexachlorocyclohexane and methamidophos.
All the test results are satisfactory.
"The standards adopted in Hong Kong for the monitoring of pesticide residues in food commodities mainly follow those set by Codex Alimentarius Commission.
"The testing method was also in accordance with Codex Alimentarius Commission's guidelines as well as international practice. That means tests were conducted on the whole edible portion of the vegetable," he said.
The spokesman said many pesticides, such as methamidophos, were soluble in water.
He advised the public to take the following steps in cleaning vegetables:
* Remove the outer leaves;
* Wash well in clean water for several times;
* Immerse vegetables in water for one hour and then rinse, and
* Cook thoroughly before consumption.
He added that the Centre's food surveillance programme included regular monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables collected at different levels of the market for the purpose of food safety.
Ends/Saturday, May 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:01
NNNN