*********************************************************
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (December 9) provided an update on its joint investigation into a local farm with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
Following the announcement by the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on urine samples from a batch of locally produced pigs confirmed to contain a prohibited chemical, chloramphenicol, on November 6, the Drug Office of the DH assisted the AFCD in its investigation into the farm concerned on November 10. During the joint operation, a quantity of suspected Part 1 poison, namely sulfamonomethoxine, was found at the farm. As the farm was not authorised to possess Part 1 poisons, the drug was seized for laboratory investigation.
The results of the Government Laboratory confirmed that the drug seized was a Part 1 poison. According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal possession of Part 1 poison is a criminal offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
"We are seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice for further action," the spokesman said.
"Sulfamonomethoxine is an antibacterial sulfonamide used in veterinary medicine. Micro-organisms resistant to sulfonamide have been found on occasions, as is the case with other types of antimicrobial. Side-effects in animals are rare. In humans, sulfonamides may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and hypersensitivity reactions," the spokesman said.
Sulfonamides, including sulfamonomethoxine, are not prohibited chemicals specified under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation (Cap 139N), but a food-animal farmer must not supply any food animal the tissue of which contains sulfonamides in excess of the maximum residue limit provided by the Regulation.
Ends/Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:10
NNNN
