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CFS finds excessive pesticide residues in three vegetable and fruit samples
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 2) found three vegetable and fruit samples (namely a radish shoot, watercress and an orange) with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limits. The CFS is following up on the cases and reminding members of the public to prepare vegetables and fruits suitably, including rinsing and soaking vegetables and peeling fruits, before consumption to reduce any pesticide residue on the surface.

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the aforesaid three samples for testing at wholesale and retail levels. Test results showed that the leaves and root of the radish shoot sample taken at the Vegetable Marketing Organization in Cheung Sha Wan contained cypermethrin at a level of 5.3 parts per million (ppm) and 0.17 ppm respectively, i.e. more than two times and 17 times the maximum residue limits (2 ppm and 0.01 ppm) respectively. The watercress sample taken at a market stall in Ma On Shan contained chlorpyrifos at a level of 0.544 ppm, i.e. more than five times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm). The orange sample taken at a stall at Kowloon Wholesale Fruit Market contained (with orange peel) thiabendazole at a level of 19.58 ppm, i.e. about two times the maximum residue limit (10 ppm). According to the preliminary information, the affected radish shoot came from a local farm and the affected orange was from the United States, while the source of the affected watercress is still being investigated. The CFS will inform the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and liaise with the American authority to follow up on the incident."

     He added, "Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the three samples, adverse health effects will not be caused by normal consumption."

     To minimise health risks posed by consuming vegetables and fruits contaminated by pesticide residues, the spokesman reminded the public to 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 do both to further minimise risks. With regard to fruits, consumers should rinse them under running water and peel them before consumption.

     Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) came into effect on August 1, the CFS has taken over 8 800 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing for pesticide residues and a total of 31 vegetable samples (including the unsatisfactory samples announced today) have been detected as having excessive pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.4 per cent. 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 upon conviction.

     The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory results, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking different samples for testing so as to safeguard public health.

Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:51

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