The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 20) that an aquatic product and fruit from regulated Japanese prefectures were found suspected to be in breach of the relevant Food Safety Order when the CFS inspected food imported from Japan. The products concerned have been marked and sealed by the CFS and have not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "During inspections of the food labels of the concerned consignments of food imported from Japan, the CFS found a pack of chilled scallops that was manufactured, processed and packed in Miyagi Prefecture after the Order was issued and a pack of figs from Chiba Prefecture that was not accompanied with a radiation certificate and exporter certificate, and the importer concerned is thus suspected of breaching the relevant Order."

     According to the Order, all aquatic products originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, are prohibited from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong if they are harvested, manufactured, processed or packed on or after August 24, 2023, including all live, frozen, chilled, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed. In addition, all vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk originating from Fukushima are banned from importing into Hong Kong while such foods originating from Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Gunma prefectures are allowed to be imported on the condition that they are accompanied with a radiation certificate and an exporter certificate issued by the Japanese authority certifying that the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels and are fit for human consumption.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incidents. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. The investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Friday, October 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:25

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