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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (September 30) released the findings of its food safety report for August. Of the 10,300 food samples tested, nine were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said among those food samples, about 3,800 were taken for chemical tests. That includes 219 samples of food and drinks collected from the local market for testing plasticisers in response to the plasticiser contamination incident in Taiwan. Some 1,100 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 5,400 (including 5,200 samples taken from food imported from Japan) for testing radiation levels.
The test results of four of the nine unsatisfactory samples were announced earlier. They comprise a sample of sliced boiled pork with jellyfish found containing a pathogen, Salmonella; and three samples of condiment and sauce containing plasticisers at unsatisfactory levels.
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 3,300 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 pork ball sample was found to contain sorbic acid, a preservative not permitted to be used in meat and meat products, at a level of 160 parts per million (ppm).
The spokesman said, "Sorbic acid is of low toxicity and will not pose adverse health effect to consumers at the level found in the food sample."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, sweeteners, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were all satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 800 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses. Three samples were found to be unsatisfactory.
A sample of noodlefish was found to contain formaldehyde, a non-permitted preservative in food, at a level of 890 ppm. The spokesman noted that occasional consumption of noodlefish with the detected level will not cause adverse health effects. However, high consumption may possibly result in abdominal pain, vomiting and kidney problems.
In addition, two frozen fish samples (Kihadamaguro Otoro and ling fillets) were found to contain mercury at levels of 1.97 and 1.01 ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.
The spokesman said, "At the detected mercury levels, occasional consumption will not cause adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis may affect the nervous system."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, biotoxins, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 600 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for tests. Results of all tests were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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The CFS took some 300 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 4,700 samples of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
The test result of the sample of sliced boiled pork with jellyfish, a Chinese cold dish, which was detected with Salmonella, was announced this Tuesday (September 27).
Also, a sample of rice with BBQ pork was found to contain Staphylococcus aureus at a level of 23,000 per gram.
"The unsatisfactory sample of rice with BBQ pork was taken as a follow-up on a food complaint. A warning letter was issued to the concerned food premises. The CFS has reminded the person-in-charge and the food handlers to observe good food hygiene. The CFS collected a follow-up sample for testing and the subsequent result was satisfactory," the spokesman said.
"Intake of food with excessive amount of Staphylococcus aureus may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea," he added.
Conclusion
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The spokesman advised the food trade to comply with legal requirements and follow Good Manufacturing Practice, using permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner.
Furthermore, large quantities of Staphylococcus aureus in food items indicated that there might have been contamination due to poor personal hygiene of the food handlers. Food handlers should always observe good personal hygiene and wash their hands properly before handling food. If the hands are wounded or cut, handlers should cover it properly with a waterproof bandage or wear a glove before handling food.
As for consumers, they should patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers and to maintain a balanced diet to avoid excessive intake of food additives from a small range of food items.
"Fish contain many essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and high quality proteins. Moderate consumption of a variety of fish is recommended. Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children, who are more susceptible to the effects of mercury, should avoid eating large predatory fish," the spokesman said.
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, September 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:31
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