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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (August 31) released the findings of its food safety report for July. Of the 4,900 food samples tested, 13 samples were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.7%.
A CFS spokesman said that about 3,100 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 1,700 for microbiological and other tests. Among the 13 unsatisfactory samples, the sample of Sichuan mala mandarin fish was announced earlier.
The microbiological tests cover pathogens and the chemical tests detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination and colouring matters, etc.
The samples included vegetables, fruits and their products; meat, poultry and their products; aquatic products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables, fruits and products
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About 1,700 samples of vegetables, fruits and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. All the samples were satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and products
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About 600 samples of meat, poultry and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. Five samples were unsatisfactory.
Four samples of fresh beef were found to contain the preservative sulphur dioxide, which is not permitted in fresh meat (including chilled and frozen), at levels ranging from 14 parts per million (ppm) to 2,200ppm.
The spokesman said the CFS had issued warning letters to the shop operators concerned and collected follow-up samples. The results were satisfactory. The CFS will closely monitor the meat sold in the concerned shops and collect sufficient evidence for prosecution. Upon conviction, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will impose the penalty of suspension or cancellation of the concerned licence according to the Demerit Points System. For public market stall owners, their tenancies might be terminated.
Another sample of barbecued pork was found to contain the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus at a level of 11,000 per gramme.
Samples for other tests including veterinary drug residues and colouring matters were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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About 500 samples, including fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products, were analysed for micro-organisms and chemicals. Apart from the sample of Sichuan mala mandarin fish which was announced earlier, three unsatisfactory samples were found.
One sample of chilled swordfish and one sample of frozen black cod were found to contain mercury at the level of 1.6ppm and 0.95ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5ppm. At the detected mercury levels, the CFS spokesman said occasional consumption would not cause adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis might affect the nervous system.
One sample of frozen bass was found to contain residues of a non-permitted veterinary drug, malachite green, at a level of 0.0221ppm.
Results of other tests including for pathogens, preservatives, colouring matters and biotoxins were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 1,000 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections for microbiological and chemical analyses (including for melamine, colouring matters and sweeteners). All samples were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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About 100 samples including rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal was tested for micro-organisms and chemicals. All the samples were satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 1,000 samples, including beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests.
On tests for preservatives, four unsatisfactory samples were found. A cherry soda was found to contain benzoic acid at a level of 206ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 160ppm; while an apple cider was found to have sorbic acid at a level of 296ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 200ppm. Two fried fritters were found to contain the non-permitted boric acid at a level of 400ppm and 670ppm respectively.
Conclusion
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The CFS spokesman reminded the food trade to follow the "5 Keys to Food Safety" in preparing food, especially in summer when foods perish fast in the hotter temperatures.
The CFS spokesman reminded the food trade to use permitted food additives in an appropriate manner and within legal limits. Sulphur dioxide should not be used in fresh, chilled and frozen meat. No food containing malachite green should be sold for human consumption and the trade should source food from reliable suppliers.
On the sample detected with Staphylococcus aureus, the spokesman reminded the food handlers and trade practitioners to observe personal hygiene practices.
"The public are reminded to patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers and not to buy or consume meat which is unnaturally red. They should have a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive exposure to food additives from a small range of food items. Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children are the groups susceptible to mercury. When choosing food, they should avoid eating large predatory fish," he said.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up action, including asking the concerned vendors to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking further samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
In addition, in response to public concerns over media reports on possible contamination of milk powder by exogenous sex hormones, the CFS recently tested 10 samples of milk powder for sex hormones. The results reveal that there were no prohibited hormones in the samples tested, and the level of natural hormones, which normally appear in cow's milk, is within satisfactory limits.
Ends/Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:05
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