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Excessive pesticide residues found in tangerine and sweet pepper samples
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 20) found a tangerine sample and a sweet pepper sample with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limits. The CFS is following up on the cases.

     "The CFS collected the tangerine and sweet pepper samples for testing at a market fruit stall in Sha Tin and a market vegetable stall in Yau Tong respectively under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that both samples contained profenofos exceeding the legal limits. The tangerine sample was found to contain profenofos at a level of 0.69 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 6.9 times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm), whereas the level of sweet pepper sample was 0.91 ppm, i.e. 1.82 times the maximum residue limit (0.5 ppm)," a CFS spokesman said.

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

     To reduce pesticide residues in vegetables in general, the spokesman reminded members of the public to rinse vegetables several times under running water, then soak them in water for one hour, or blanch them in boiling water for one minute and discard the water. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the outer leaves or peel of the vegetables can also be removed as appropriate. Members of the public are also advised to rinse fruit thoroughly under running water before consumption and to peel the fruit before consumption so as to further reduce the intake of pesticide residues.

     Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food 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 sources and distribution of the foods in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.


Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:05

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