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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (April 18) that the Department had contacted the environmental concern group for more information regarding a report on pesticide residues contained in vegetables on sale in two major supermarket chains.
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The spokesman added that permitted residual level of a pesticide in different types of vegetables might differ.
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He said the supermarket chains concerned were also requested to provide information of the suppliers for the vegetables in question.
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The relevant authorities in the Mainland were also informed of the survey and further information, when available, would be provided to the Mainland so that follow up actions would be taken as appropriate.
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The spokesman said there was a well established system on monitoring pesticide residues in vegetables, including those imported via Man Kam To and distributed through the wholesale and retail markets.
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ˇ§Vegetables imported from the Mainland come from registered farms and the relevant documents regarding the farms and pesticides used will be inspected at the Man Kam To Food Control Office. Samples will be collected at the import, wholesale and retail levels for testing the pesticide residues to safeguard public health.
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ˇ§The overall test results for samples collected over the territory were on the whole satisfactory. In 2005, there were only 10 unsatisfactory samples among 20,000 samples collected.ˇ¨
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To minimise pesticide poisoning due to consumption of vegetables, the spokesman reminded the public to clean vegetables according to the following procedures:
* Remove the outer leaves;
* Wash well in clean water for several times;
* Immerse vegetables in water for one hour and then rinse;
* Cook thoroughly before consumption.
Ends/Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 21:58
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