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Excessive pesticide residues found in one vegetable sample by CFS
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 12) found that the level of residues of a pesticide of a vegetable sample exceeded the legal limit. The CFS will remain vigilant and continue to follow up on the case.  Upon completion of investigation, the CFS will seek legal advice on prosecution matters.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "Under its regular Food Surveillance Programme, the CFS collected the white string pods sample from a vegetable stall in Tsuen Wan Market. Test result showed that it contained Carbofuran at a level of 0.71 parts per million (ppm).  The source of the vegetables concerned has yet to be identified."

     According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) (the Regulation), the maximum residue limit for Carbofuran for string beans is 0.1 ppm.

     "Based on the level of pesticide residues detected, the vegetables will not pose adverse health effects to consumers upon normal consumption," the spokesman said.

     The CFS has informed the trade concerned of the above-mentioned result. The CFS will continue to monitor the situation and follow-up samples will be taken from the stall concerned for testing if the same product is found available for sale.

     Since the Regulation came into effect on August 1, the CFS has taken over 2 700 samples, comprising about 60 different kinds of food at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues. Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.

     The CFS will continue to safeguard food safety and public health by taking different samples of vegetables, especially white string pods, for testing through its regular Food Surveillance Programme.

     To minimise the health risk posed by consuming vegetables contaminated by pesticide residues, the public may rinse vegetables several times under running water before soaking them in water for one hour, or blanch the vegetables in boiling water for one minute and discard the water, or doing both to further minimise the risk.

Ends/Friday, September 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 23:04

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