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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (April 30) released the findings of its food safety report for March. Of the 8,800 food samples tested, six were found unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 2,800 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 900 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 5,100 (including 4,900 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 2,200 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis.
One fresh mushroom sample and one spinach sample were found to contain a metal contaminant, cadmium, at levels of 0.33 parts per million (ppm) and 0.16 ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm.
¡@"Upon normal consumption, it is unlikely that the above vegetables with cadmium at the detected levels would pose any adverse health effects to consumers," the spokesman said.
"Vegetables should be soaked and washed thoroughly before consumption to remove cadmium adhered to the surface," he added.
All the remaining samples passed other tests (e.g. pesticides, preservatives and pathogens).
Meat, 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.
Four samples of fresh beef were found to contain sulphur dioxide, which is not permitted in fresh meat (including frozen and chilled) at levels between 110 ppm and 590 ppm respectively.
"Based on the levels detected, normal consumption should not pose any adverse health effects. For individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms like breathing difficulty, headache and nausea," the spokesman said.
"Sulphur dioxide is of low toxicity. As it is water-soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking," he added.
Samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 1,100 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 400 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 4,300 food samples of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses. All samples were satisfactory.
Conclusion
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The spokesman advised consumers to purchase meat and vegetables from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops, and refrain from buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red.
He reminded the trade to comply with the legal requirements and adopt 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 issuing warning letters to the vendors concerned and taking follow-up samples for testing. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
Ends/Monday, April 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:31
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