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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 31) released the findings of its food safety report for July. Of the 9,000 food samples tested, three were found unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.97 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 3,400 food samples were taken for chemical tests. Some 1,400 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 4,200 (including about 4,000 samples taken from food imported from Japan) for testing of radiation levels.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators while the chemical tests 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 passed the tests.
Meat, poultry and their products
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The CFS completed the testing of 600 samples, including fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food establishments, and meat- and poultry-made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausages and ham.
One sample of fresh beef was found to contain sulphur dioxide, which is not permitted in fresh, frozen and chilled meat, at a level of 660 parts per million (ppm).
"Sulphur dioxide is of low toxicity. Based on the level detected, it is unlikely that the sample would pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption. For individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms like breathing difficulty, headache and nausea," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were found to be satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took some 1,200 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for analyses.
One frozen tuna sample was detected to contain a metallic contaminant, mercury, at a level of 2.18 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.
"Occasional consumption of food at the level of mercury detected will not cause an adverse health effect, but consumption on a long-term basis may affect the nervous system," the spokesman said.
Samples for other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 700 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 500 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereals for analyses. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 3,500 food samples consisting of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests.
One sample of fried fritter was found to contain a non-permitted preservative, boric acid, at a level of 330 ppm.
"Upon normal consumption, the sample with the level of boric acid detected is unlikely to pose adverse health effects," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, melamine, plasticisers, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Conclusion
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The CFS has taken follow-up actions on all the unsatisfactory samples such as asking the vendors concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
The spokesman advised consumers to patronise reliable market stalls, fresh provision shops and food premises, and not to buy or consume meat which is unnaturally red.
He also pointed out that 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 are the people susceptible to being affected by mercury. When choosing fish for food, they should avoid eating large predatory fish.
The food trade should comply with the legal requirements and do not use sulphur dioxide in fresh, chilled or frozen meat. The spokesman also reminded the trade to follow good manufacturing practice. If they have to use food additives, they should use permitted ones in an appropriate manner. They should maintain a good recording system in accordance with the Food Safety Ordinance to allow source tracing if needed to safeguard public health.
Ends/Friday, August 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:31
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