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Results of tests on mooncakes and sushi/sashimi conducted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) under its Food Surveillance Programme have all been satisfactory.
"About 100 samples of festive food, mooncakes, were collected for chemical and microbiological tests, while some 500 samples of sushi/sashimi, a popular food item for many Hong Kong people, were collected for microbiological tests," the Assistant Director (Food Surveillance and Control), Dr Thomas Chung, said today (September 13).
He said that the sushi/sashimi samples included salmon, shrimp, sea urchin and tuna were collected from some 110 wholesalers/retail outlets.
Besides microbiological tests, the mooncake samples were also taken for chemical tests, which included preservatives, colouring matters and antioxidants.
Despite the satisfactory results, Dr Chung reminded people that mooncakes and sushi/sashimi could cause food safety concern if not properly prepared or handled.
"Snowy and ice-cream mooncakes, in particular, which do not undergo a baking process at about 300 degrees Celsius, are required to be handled hygienically during processing, transportation and storage to avoid contamination and growth of food poisoning germs; sushi/sashimi, likewise, should be kept at proper temperature and maintained in good condition," he said.
People should buy mooncakes only from reputable retail outlets to ensure the quality of the product, Dr Chung said.
Following are some safety tips for mooncake lovers:
* Check the expiry dates of mooncakes and eat them within the recommended period;
* Check if mooncakes are properly packaged;
* Take the mooncakes, snowy mooncakes and ice-cream mooncakes in particular, home immediately after purchase, and keep them in the refrigerator. Snowy mooncakes should be kept at four degrees Celsius or below, while ice-cream mooncakes at -18 degrees Celsius or below;
* Use a cooler with ice when carrying snowy or ice-cream mooncakes outdoors; and
* Discard snowy and ice-cream mooncakes that have been kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
Dr Chung said people should eat mooncakes moderately as most of these cakes were rich in sugar and fat. Patients with chronic illnesses should consult physicians or dietitians before eating mooncakes.
As for sushi/sashimi, the trade is reminded to take the following steps when preparing and selling sushi/sashimi:
* Obtain sushi/sashimi from credible sources;
* Use separate equipment for the preparation of sushi/sashimi;
* Keep sushi/sashimi separated from other food items at four degrees Celsius or below; and
* Discard the leftovers after business hours.
People who consume sushi/sashimi are advised to:
* Observe the general hygiene of food premises before patronising;
* Choose sushi/sashimi that are kept at proper temperature and are in good condition, and
* Bring home immediately the take-away sushi/sashimi. They should be kept in the refrigerator and be consumed as soon as possible.
Ends/Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:09
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