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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (March 31) released the findings of its food safety report for February. Of the 4,300 food samples tested, four were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9%.
A CFS spokesman said about 3,400 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 900 for microbiological and radiological tests. Among the four unsatisfactory samples, the test result for a hotpot soup base sample was been announced earlier.
The microbiological tests cover pathogens while the chemical tests are aimed to detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters and veterinary drug residues, 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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The CFS took about 2,400 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for microbiological and chemical analyses. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and products
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The CFS took about 400 samples of fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food premises, the meat and poultry made products (such as Chinese preserved meat, sausage and ham) for microbiological and chemical analyses.
For preservatives, one sample of fresh beef was found to contain sulphur dioxide, which is not permitted for using in fresh (including chilled and frozen) meat, at a level of 180 parts per million (ppm).
For veterinary drug residues, a sample of frozen suckling pig was found to contain sulfonamides at a level of 0.61 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm.
"Normal consumption of both food items with the same detected levels is unlikely to cause significant health effects. However, for individuals who are allergic to sulphur dioxide, there may be symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took about 200 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for microbiological and chemical tests. One sample of dried abalone was found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level of 476 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 30 ppm.
The spokesman said, "The sample was collected at import level and no affected products have entered the local market."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, colouring matters, metallic contamination, biotoxins, and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 500 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for microbiological and chemical tests. All test results were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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The CFS took about 100 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for microbiological and chemical tests. All of them were found to be satisfactory.
Other commodities
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The CFS took about 600 samples of mixed dishes, beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
Other than the unsatisfactory hotpot soup base sample announced earlier, which was found to contain a non-permitted colouring matter (Orange II) in food, all samples were found satisfactory.
Conclusion
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The spokesman urged consumers to patronise licensed restaurants and reliable food suppliers as well as maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk.
He also advised the trade to comply with the legal requirements and follow Good Manufacturing Practice, using permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner. The trade should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if necessary.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up actions including asking the vendors concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
Ends/Thursday, March 31, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:02
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