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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (July 29) released the findings of its food safety report for June. Of the 16 800 food samples tested, 40 were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 3 800 food samples were taken for chemical tests, some 1 800 for microbiological tests and the remaining 11 200 (including 11 100 samples collected from food imported from Japan) for testing radiation levels.
Among the 40 unsatisfactory samples, the test results for 33 of them were announced earlier, comprising 30 samples of food, drinks and food ingredients that were found to contain the plasticisers di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP) or di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and three samples of ice-cream scoops and soft ice-cream with hygienic indicators exceeding the legal limits.
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 3 200 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 600 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 frozen suckling pig sample was found to contain residues of a veterinary drug, Chlortetracycline, at a level of 0.27 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm.
The spokesman said, "The sample was imported from Vietnam and was collected at the import level. No affected products have entered the local market. Upon normal consumption, the level of Chlortetracycline found in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers."
"Four samples of frozen suckling pig in different batches imported from this particular slaughtering and processing plant have been found to contain excessive veterinary drug residues (Chlortetracycline, Oxytetracycline and sulfonamides) earlier this year. The CFS has requested the plant and the Vietnam authorities to submit investigation reports with the necessary remedial measures and actions taken. Should it find them unsatisfactory, the CFS will cease processing applications for importing frozen suckling pigs from this plant."
All the remaining samples passed other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives and colouring matters).
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 800 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses. One chilled catfish fillet sample was found to contain mercury at a level of 0.99 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.
The spokesman said, "At the detected mercury level, occasional consumption would not cause adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis may affect the nervous system."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives, biotoxins and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 1 200 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests.
Apart from the three unsatisfactory samples announced on Tuesday (July 26) (hygienic indicators of ice-cream scoops and soft ice-cream exceeding the legal standards), two more samples were found to be unsatisfactory.
One skimmed high-calcium milk sample was found to contain Bacillus cereus, a pathogen, at a level of 13 million per millilitre, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 million per millilitre.
In addition, one cheese sample was found to contain a preservative, pimaricin, at a level of 170 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 40 ppm.
The spokesman said, "Consuming food contaminated with Bacillus cereus or its toxin may cause food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. The unsatisfactory milk sample was taken as a follow-up on a food complaint. The food sample had already passed its use-by date when the test result was available. Nonetheless, the CFS has taken immediate follow-up action and carried out investigations to ensure that the milk factory and the retailer concerned have met all the safety regulations in the production and storage of food.
"As for the cheese sample, it was collected at the import level and no affected products have entered the local market. Upon normal consumption, the level of pimaricin found in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers."
Results of other tests (e.g. melamine, colouring matters, sweeteners and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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The CFS took some 1 400 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 9 600 samples of mixed dishes, beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
Three samples of Swiss roll, egg mayo bun and spinach with preserved bean curd, were found to contain Bacillus cereus at excessive levels of 1.3 million per gram, 0.29 million per gram and 1.1 million per gram respectively.
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 milk and dairy product manufacturing, the trade should establish and practise food safety control plans such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system. Milk and dairy products should also be stored strictly according to the instructions on the labels.
That pathogens had been detected in some food samples, the spokesman said, was an indication of unhygienic food processing. The food trade should always follow the "Five Keys to Food Safety" during food preparation to prevent food-borne diseases.
The spokesman also reminded consumers to patronise reliable shops when buying food and to maintain a balanced diet to minimise 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/Friday, July 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:07
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