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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (March 30) released the findings of its food safety report for February. Of the 8,100 food samples tested, only one was found unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 2,700 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 500 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 4,800 (including 4,400 samples taken from food imported from Japan) for testing of radiation levels.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators while the chemical tests were aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and plasticisers, 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, fruits and their 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 analysis. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and their 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, and meat- and poultry-made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausage and ham, for tests. The results were all satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 1,000 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses. All samples 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 tests. All samples were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and their products
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The CFS took some 200 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 3,600 food samples of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses.
One sample of rice with barbecued pork and chicken was found to contain the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus at a level of 1.9 millions per gramme.
"Staphylococcus aureus may cause an gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The presence of a high dose of such bacteria in food indicated that some food manufacturing and handling processes were unhygienic," a CFS spokesman said.
"Regarding the unsatisfactory sample, the CFS has taken follow-up action, including issuing a warning letter and reminding the person responsible of proper hygiene practice during food handling. A follow-up sample was subsequently taken by the CFS for testing and the result was satisfactory," he added.
Conclusion
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The spokesman advised consumers to patronise licensed restaurants and reliable suppliers of food. The food trade should observe the "Five Keys to Food Safety" to minimise the risk of food poisoning.
He reminded food handlers to observe good personal hygiene and wash their hands properly before handling food. If there is a wound on the hand, they should cover it properly with a waterproof bandage or wear gloves before handling food.
Ends/Friday, March 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:31
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