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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 31) found an orange sample with pesticide residues at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case and reminds members of the public to prepare fruits suitably before consumption, including rinsing fruits thoroughly, to reduce the level of pesticide residues.
"The CFS collected the orange sample for testing at import level under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Profenofos at a level of 0.5 parts per million (ppm), i.e. five times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm)," a CFS spokesman said.
"Based on the level of pesticide residue detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused by normal consumption."
To reduce the pesticide residues of fruit, the spokesman reminded members of the public to rinse them thoroughly under running water before consumption. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the public can also peel the fruit before consumption.
Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) came into effect on August 1, the CFS has taken over 10 700 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for the testing of pesticide residues and a total of 39 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 0.4 per cent. Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source and distribution of the food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:04
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