ýÿThe Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 18) announced that an imported crab sample from the Philippines was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     "The CFS had announced earlier that crab samples collected at the import level under its routine Food Surveillance Programme were detected with cadmium exceeding the legal limit. When following up on the incidents, the CFS further collected the above-mentioned crab sample at the import level for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 3.9 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 2 ppm," the CFS spokesman said.

     "Long-term excessive intake of cadmium may affect the kidney functions. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and is also tracing the source of the product concerned. The affected product has not entered the market. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted," the spokesman added.

     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The CFS will alert the Philippines authorities and the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2024
Issued at HKT 15:45

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