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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 14) that two durian samples were detected with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the cases.
A spokesman said, "The CFS collected the durian samples at two stalls at Kowloon Wholesale Fruit Market for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that the two samples contained ethephon at levels of 5.2 parts per million (ppm) and 5.5 ppm i.e. 2.6 times and 2.75 times the maximum residue limit (2ppm) respectively. According to the preliminary information, the affected durians came from Thailand. The CFS will liaise with the Thailand authorities on the incident.
"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the samples, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption," the spokesman said.
Generally speaking, removing the shells of hard-shelled fruits upon consumption can reduce the intake of pesticide residues, he noted.
Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
Since the regulation came into effect on August 1 last year, the CFS has taken over 34 200 samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing for pesticide residues and a total of 111 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.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory samples, including instructing the vendors concerned to stop the sale of the affected products. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be considered. The CFS will also trace the sources and distribution of the food in question and step up sample testing to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Monday, September 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:05
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