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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (June 29) released the findings of its food safety report for May. Of the 14 000 food samples tested, 12 were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9%.
A CFS spokesman said about 3 100 food samples were taken for chemical tests, some 1 300 for microbiological tests and the remaining 9 600 (including 9 500 samples collected from food imported from Japan) for testing radiation levels. Out of the 12 unsatisfactory samples, the test results of six samples of sports drinks which contained the plasticiser di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were announced on May 30.
The microbiological tests cover pathogens while the chemical tests aim to detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters and veterinary drug residues, etc.
The samples included vegetables and fruits and their products; meat and poultry and their products; aquatic products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables and fruits and their products
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The CFS took about 2 600 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis. All results were satisfactory.
Meat and poultry and their products
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The CFS took about 500 samples of fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food premises, and meat- and poultry-made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausage and ham, for tests.
One sample of frozen suckling pig was found to contain residues of a veterinary drug, sulfonamides, at a level of 3.1 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm.
The spokesman said, "Upon normal consumption, the level of sulfonamides found in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers."
All the remaining samples passed other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives and colouring matters).
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 900 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses. One dried fish sample was found to contain a veterinary drug, chloramphenicol, at a level of 0.0153ppm. Chloramphenicol is not permitted in food under the law of Hong Kong.
The spokesman said, "The level of chloramphenicol found in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers upon normal consumption."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives, metallic contamination and biotoxins) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 800 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests.
One sample ice cream scoop of vanilla flavour and another of green tea flavour taken from the same retail outlet were found to contain coliform organisms, which are a hygienic indicator, at levels of 150 and 1 900 per gramme respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 100 per gramme.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, melamine, preservatives, colouring matters, sweeteners and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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The CFS took some 1 100 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for analyses. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 8 000 samples of mixed dishes, beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
Two peanut samples taken from an importer were found to contain aflatoxin at levels of 0.055ppm and 0.56ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.02ppm.
"The samples were taken as a follow-up on a food incident in which a high level of aflatoxin was detected in a consignment of imported peanuts in Taiwan last month. Although there is a concern about the carcinogenic potential of aflatoxin, immediate health risk upon normal consumption at the levels of the toxin detected is unlikely," said the spokesman.
Conclusion
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The spokesman advised the food trade to comply with the legal requirements and follow Good Manufacturing Practice, using permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner.
As for the coliform organisms found in the ice cream scoop samples, the spokesman said it was believed to be related to the unsatisfactory hygiene conditions under which the ice cream was being handled.
He said retailers should observe good hygienic practices during all preparation and handling processes including personal hygiene of food handlers like keeping hands clean. They should also clean and sanitise all relevant equipment and utensils every day.
Retailers should also source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if necessary.
The spokesman also reminded consumers to patronise reliable shops when buying food and to maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up actions including asking the vendors concerned to stop selling the products 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/Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:39
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