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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 2) found two samples of loose-pack salted thread fin with pesticide residues. Follow-up is in progress, which includes tracing the source and distribution of the food in question.
"The CFS collected the above two salted fish samples from a vendor for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that the samples contained dichlorvos at a level of 0.081 parts per million (ppm) and 0.019 ppm. According to the law, the food concerned should not contain pesticide residues," a CFS spokesman said.
"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the two samples, adverse health effects will not be caused by normal consumption. The CFS will order the trader concerned to stop selling the salted fish in question, and marked and sealed the remaining stock of the affected batch of the product," he added.
According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, any person sells to the prejudice of a purchaser any food which is not of the nature, substance or quality of the food demanded by the purchaser shall be guilty of an offence, which is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.
The CFS will continue to investigate the case and take appropriate actions to safeguard public health.
Ends/Thursday, April 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:23
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