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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 4) found two watercress samples and one spinach sample with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the cases and reminds members of the public to prepare vegetables suitably before consumption, including rinsing and soaking them, to reduce the level of pesticide residues.
"The CFS collected the two watercress samples for testing from two vegetable stalls in Sau Mau Ping and Sheung Shui under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that both samples contained chlorpyrifos exceeding the legal limit, one at a level of 0.27 parts per million (ppm) and the other at a level of 0.21 ppm, i.e. 2.7 times and 2.1 times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm) respectively. In addition, while following up on an unsatisfactory sample of spinach announced earlier, the CFS took another spinach sample from a supermarket in Sha Tin for testing. The test result showed that the level of chlorpyrifos found in the sample was 0.58 ppm, i.e. 5.8 times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm).
"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.
Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) came into effect on August 1 last year, the CFS has taken over 23 000 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing for pesticide residues and a total of 86 vegetable and fruit 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 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 food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Thursday, June 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:13
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