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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 8) released up-to-date results of its routine food surveillance programme.
The department's Assistant Director (Food Surveillance and Control), Dr Thomas Chung, said that for the some 15,300 food samples taken for microbiological and chemical tests, the overall failure rate was about 0.3%.
For the some 9,800 chemical test results, Dr Chung said 39 unsatisfactory samples were detected, including nine fish/fish products.
"Testing of malachite green in food has been included in the routine food surveillance programme since September 8," Dr Chung said.
¡@¡@ "Among the 52 samples taken, including 14 freshwater fish, nine were found containing the chemical," he said.
They included a sample of goldfish carp (the only live freshwater fish sample detected with malachite green), two samples of green grouper, two samples of mud carp meat, three samples of canned mud carp and one sample of eel product.
"The presence of malachite green in all food sold in Hong Kong is prohibited under the Harmful Substance in Food (Amendment) Regulation," Dr Chung said.
Other samples failing the chemical tests were mainly found to contain non-permitted or excessive chemical additives.
On the testing of preservatives, 15 samples had unsatisfactory results. Some were found to contain sorbic acid which is not permitted in those foods, including beef ball and sweetened vinegar while some samples, such as beef, fish maw, had non-permitted sulphur dioxide detected.
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On colouring matter, six samples including curry powder and sponge cake were found to contain non-permitted substances Sudan IV and Orange II respectively.
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Regarding veterinary drug residue and pesticide, four samples were unsatisfactory.
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Noting the results, Dr Chung called on the food trade to be more cautious.
"They should make sure that only permitted food additives are used and that their food supply does not contain excessive pesticides or chemical residues," he said.
Another three samples failed the chemical tests because they were found to contain cadmium, an environmental contaminant, exceeding the permitted level.
A sample of clam meat was found to contain dioxin slightly exceeding the action level.
A geoduck clam sample had paralytic shellfish poison, a natural toxin sometimes found in shellfish.
Dr Chung said that taking into consideration the amount of chemicals detected, the unsatisfactory samples were unlikely to cause adverse health effects.
"When unsatisfactory samples are detected, FEHD will follow up with the retailers and wholesale suppliers concerned to stop the sale of the same batch of food products in question. In addition, the department will inspect retail outlets and collect the food products concerned for tests to ensure food safety and safeguard public health," he added.
"Among the some 5,500 food samples for microbiological tests, which target pathogenic bacteria and viruses, eight were found to contain pathogens," Dr Chung said.
They included two raw oyster samples, tested to have Norovirus; one sample of cake and one sample of mixed vegetables ramen, each containing Bacillus cereus; one sample of chicken wing and another sample of chicken satay, each containing Listeria monocytogenes ; one sample of avocado and crab meat rice roll containing both Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus; and one sample of Octopus sashimi containing Staphylococcus aureus.
Dr Chung said the presence of pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, was most likely related to improper food handling.
"Food handlers should always stay alert and maintain good environmental, food and personal hygiene, especially in handling ready-to-eat food," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:29
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