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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 13) announced that a pomelo sample was detected with pesticide residues at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.
"The CFS collected the pomelo sample for testing from a retailer in Kowloon City under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that the sample contained profenofos at a level of 0.39 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 3.9 times the maximum residue limit (0.1 ppm)," a CFS spokesman said.
"Based on the level of pesticide residues detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption," he added.
Generally speaking, rinsing fruit thoroughly under running water can reduce the level of pesticide residues. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the fruit can be peeled.
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 37 700 samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues, and a total of 120 vegetable and fruit samples (including the unsatisfactory sample announced today) have been detected as having excessive pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.4 per cent.
The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source and distribution of the food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:36
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