******************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 16) announced four unsatisfactory food samples. They include a kind of soft ice-cream made upon order which had a total bacteria count and a coliform count exceeding legal limits, a broccoli sample found to contain cadmium at a level exceeding the legal limit, and samples of cold pork rice vermicelli and shrimp sashimi found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella.
A CFS spokesman noted that the Centre had taken the above-mentioned ice-cream sample at the retail level for testing. Results showed that the total bacterial count of the sample was 1.7 million per gram, exceeding the legal limit of a maximum of 50,000 per gram. The coliform count of the sample was 360 per gram, exceeding the legal limit of a maximum of 100 per gram.
The spokesman said, "The fact that the total bacteria count and the coliform count exceeded the legal limits indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning."
The retailer concerned voluntarily stopped sale of the affected soft ice-cream immediately. The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take follow-up samples for testing.
The Centre also took a broccoli sample imported from the Mainland at the import level for testing. Results showed that it contained a metal contaminant, cadmium, at a level of 0.16 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm.
The spokesman said, "Based on the level of cadmium detected, it is unlikely that the sample would pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption. The CFS advises the public to wash away cadmium on the surface of vegetables by rinsing them thoroughly."
He added, "The CFS issued a warning letter to the importer concerned and notified the Mainland authorities concerned. It has disposed of the whole batch of affected broccoli with none entering the local market. In respect of the incident, the CFS will consider taking prosecution action and will continue its monitoring. Should the importer import the same kind of vegetables, the CFS will hold and test the vegetables."
Furthermore, the CFS took samples of cold pork rice vermicelli and shrimp sashimi from two licensed general restaurants in Sha Tin and North Point for testing, respectively. The test results showed that Salmonella was found to be present in 25 grams of the samples, exceeding the standard of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, which state that Salmonella should not be detected in 25 grams of food.
"Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and patients with a weak immune system could be more severe and sometimes may even lead to death," the spokesman said.
He added, "The CFS has informed the restaurant operators of the testing results and will consider whether to take prosecution action. The restaurants concerned, upon the CFS' advice, have suspended sale of cold pork rice vermicelli and shrimp sashimi. Thorough cleaning and disinfection will be carried out. The operators will also review and improve the food production process.
"The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action, including stepping up the inspection frequency of the restaurants concerned. To ensure food safety and safeguard public health, follow-up samples will be taken for testing once the restaurants resume supply of the affected products."
Ends/Thursday, October 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:43
NNNN
