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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (December 28) announced test results of a food surveillance survey conducted on Beijing and Shanghai food. There was an overall satisfactory rate of 99.7%, with one sample found to be unsatisfactory.
This survey was the second phase of the food surveillance on Chinese regional cuisines. The CFS announced phase one results about Chiu Chow, Sichuan, Hunan and Yunnan food in August.
The CFS collected 356 samples of Beijing and Shanghai food samples from more than 130 retailers for microbiological and chemical tests. One sample of Mandarin fish with pine nuts in sweet and sour sauce was found to contain a non-permitted veterinary drug malachite green at the level of 0.2406 part per million. All samples passed the microbiological tests.
The Beijing and Shanghai food samples for testing included:
* Appetisers, including jellyfish head with green onion, mung bean starch sheet with shredded chicken, spicy pork in Zhenjiang style and soybean curd with lime preserved egg;
* Soups, such as sour and spicy soup and chicken and wonton soup in casserole;
* Chinese buns including Shanghai style steamed pork dumpling, vegetable and meat bun and pan-fried beef bun;
* Main dishes, like sauteed shrimp, mandarin fish with pine nuts in sweet and sour sauce, Chinese cabbage in cream sauce and Beijing roast duck;
* Congee, noodle and rice dishes, including "Dan Dan Mian", plain noodles, Shanghai fried new year pudding and shrimp with sizzling rice;
* Desserts, such as eight treasure rice, crispy red bean paste pancake, battered fried banana and egg-white stuffed with red bean paste; and
* Sauces, like broad bean paste, Shanghai style red vinegar and soybean milk.
Microbiological tests covered pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Chemical tests covered hazards commonly present such as colouring matters, metallic contamination, preservatives, pesticides and veterinary drug residues.
The spokesman pointed out that according to legislation, no one should sell, for human consumption, any food which contains malachite green. However, normal consumption of the products with the same detected level was unlikely to pose adverse health effects.
"The CFS has taken follow-up actions, including asking the vendor concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, tracing the source, issuing warning letters to the vendor and taking follow-up samples. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.
He also reminded the trade to source aquatic products from reliable suppliers. In case of doubt, they should ask for and check relevant documents and health certificates accompanying the consignment to ensure the supply is free of malachite green. They should also follow the "Five Keys to Food Safety" to minimise the risk of food poisoning.
Consumers should patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers and maintain a balance diet to reduce food risk, the spokesman added.
Ends/Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:31
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