The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 7) announced that malachite green was found in a prepackaged grouper sample. Follow-up is in progress. 

     Product details are as follows:
 
Product name: Sabah Giant Grouper (Gutted and Gilled)
Net Weight: 600 grams
Place of origin: Indonesia
Distributor: Organic Gardens International Ltd
Best-before date: July 21, 2021

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned grouper sample from a shop in a shopping centre in West Kowloon for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained malachite green at a level of 3.8 parts per billion."
               
     The spokesman added, "The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions. Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 3181 4488 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product." 
      
     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 will be 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. Investigation is ongoing.
 

Ends/Monday, September 7, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:25

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