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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (January 18) released results of samples of festive food for the Lunar New Year tested recently under the Food Surveillance Programme.
Only two of the 119 food samples taken failed to meet compliance. The remaining 117 samples were all satisfactory, a CFS spokesman said.
The food items collected for chemical and microbiological tests included puddings, glutinous rice balls, melon seeds, preserved meat, dried seafood and vegetarian foods.
The chemical tests targeted preservatives, anti-oxidants, colouring matters, sweeteners, mineral oil, heavy metals, veterinary drug residues, aflatoxins and formaldehyde while microbiological tests covered pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella.
The two unsatisfactory samples were a turnip pudding sample and a "jinzhen" sample. The turnip pudding sample was found to contain preservative benzoic acid (at 450 ppm), which is not permitted in this food. The "jinzhen" sample, with a brand name on its package, was found to contain preservative sulphur dioxide (at 3,800 ppm) exceeding the permitted level (at 2,000 ppm). The samples were collected from two retail shops.
"While the levels of preservatives detected in these samples pose little health risks, the retailers concerned have been advised to stop selling the products. The CFS is now tracing the source of these food items," the spokesman said.
He added that benzoic acid was a preservative commonly used in food (e.g. permitted levels for fruit juice and fish ball are 800 ppm and 1,000 ppm respectively) while sulphur dioxide could be eliminated after thorough cooking.
The spokesman urged people to be mindful of food safety when buying foods and preparing meals for the festive occasion.
"Melon seeds, for example, are one of the most popular Lunar New Year treats. Consumers should be careful not to buy those that look too glossy as they may contain mineral oil, which might cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
"For sweetened lotus seeds and pistachio, people should choose only those with natural colour. They should avoid buying those that look extraordinarily white, as they may have been bleached with chemicals," the spokesman said.
¡@¡@ People are advised to observe the following safety tips when buying and eating festive foods:
Careful selection
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- Avoid buying melon seeds that look too glossy;
- Check the expiry date before buying prepackaged festive items like puddings, sesame balls and sweets. Make sure the packaging is intact;
- When buying unpackaged items like crispy triangles, sweetened dried fruits and melon seeds, take a look at the hygiene conditions of the shop and the food containers. Check whether its staff observe good personal hygiene; and
- Buy "poon choi" from reputable food premises. The "poon choi" provided by the suppliers should be kept at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or above. Keep chilled "poon choi" at four degrees Celsius or below to prevent microbiological growth.
Proper storage
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- After purchase, pre-cooked foods, such as puddings, should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as possible and be consumed before the "Use by" date shown on the packages; and
- Fried festive foods such as sesame balls and crispy triangles should be kept in air-tight containers and stored in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry place.
Healthy consumption
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- Use a dehulling tool for melon seeds to avoid contact between the mouth and the hulls;
- Soak and clean thoroughly dried seafood and specialities, such as dried shrimps, before cooking. Discard the water used for soaking;
- Keep cold dishes in the refrigerator and only take them out at the time of consumption. Foods to be eaten hot should be cooked just before mealtime. Early preparation is not recommended;
- Stop eating puddings found mouldy or with an abnormal taste. Abnormal taste indicates that the puddings have perished due to improper or prolonged storage;
- As dishes prepared for the Lunar New Year tend to be abundant, any food leftovers should be refrigerated and reheated thoroughly before consumption;
- Avoid picking up "poon choi" too early, to prevent microbiological growth due to prolonged storage; and
- Reheat and consume "poon choi" as soon as possible after delivery. Finish it in one go to ensure food safety.
¡@¡@ The spokesman also reminded people to maintain a balanced diet and take at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables every day. People should avoid eating too much festive foods with high energy and rich in sugar, fat or cholesterol.
Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:15
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