*******************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has collected 26 egg samples for testing following recent detection of Sudan dyes in eggs on the Mainland, the Centre¡¯s Assistant Director (Food Surveillance and Control), Dr Thomas Chung, said today (November 20).
¡¡¡¡¡°We have followed up the case with the relevant Mainland authorities and understood that the eggs detected with Sudan dyes, which come from a food company in Hubei Province, have not been exported to Hong Kong,¡± he said.
Dr Chung stressed that there was no cause for undue alarm.
¡¡¡¡¡°Based on the reported levels of Sudan dyes detected, normal consumption of eggs would not pose any significant health effects,¡± he said.
¡¡¡¡¡°Under the food surveillance programme, some 740 egg samples were collected from January 2005 to September 2006 for the testing of various parameters including colouring matters. No non-permitted colours were detected.
¡¡¡¡¡°The CFS will closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary,¡± Dr Chung said.
Ends/Monday, November 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:38
NNNN