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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. Out of the some 13 300 food samples tested, other than the 12 unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier, two samples of prepackaged frozen confections were found to contain a permitted sweetener, which has not been declared on the product's food label. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 5 300 food samples had been taken for chemical tests. Some 1 900 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 6 100 (including about 5 600 samples taken from food imported from Japan) were collected 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, plasticisers and others.
The samples included vegetables and fruits and their products; meat and poultry and their products; aquatic and related 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 3 200 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for analysis. Except for six vegetable samples with levels of pesticide residues exceeding the legal limits and announced last month, all samples were satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and their products
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The CFS completed the testing of about 1 100 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. Except for four fresh beef samples which were found to contain sulphur dioxide, a non-permitted preservative in fresh meat, and announced last month, the results were all satisfactory.
Aquatic and related products
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The CFS took some 1 700 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab and squid and their products for analysis. All results were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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About 1 200 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products were collected for analysis. Except for an ice-cream sample in durian flavour which had a total bacteria count and a coliform count exceeding legal limits as announced last month, two samples of prepackaged frozen confections imported from Korea were found to contain a permitted sweetener, Acesulfame Potassium, but it had not been declared on the product's food label.
"The two frozen confection samples were collected at the import level and the affected consignments were marked and sealed. No affected products entered the local market. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients on its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. total bacterial count, pathogens, melamine, preservatives, veterinary drug residues and colouring matters) were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and their products
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The CFS took about 600 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereals for analysis. All samples passed the tests.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 5 500 food samples consisting of mixed dishes, dim sum, beverages, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests. Except for a lard sample with excessive peroxide value, and announced last month, all remaining samples were satisfactory.
Conclusion
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The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the unsatisfactory samples including informing the trade concerned of the test results, instructing the trade concerned to stop sale of the incriminated food items, tracing the source of the food items in question and taking follow-up samples for analysis.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that their food is fit for consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk.
Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:31
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