*********************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 12 300 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for 15 unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 1 600 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, some 4 700 samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 6 000 (including about 5 000 taken from food imported from Japan) were collected for testing of radiation levels.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators, while the chemical tests aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others.
The samples comprised about 3 800 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; 1 000 samples of meat and poultry and their products; 1 700 samples of aquatic and related products; 900 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; 700 samples of cereals, grains and their products; and 4 200 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
The 15 unsatisfactory samples comprised five vegetable samples found to have pesticide residues exceeding the legal limit; two ice-cream samples detected to have coliform counts exceeding the legal limit; two fresh milk samples detected to have total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit; one oyster sample contaminated with Escherichia coli; one pigeon sample detected to have the pathogen Salmonella; one salad sample detected to have excessive Bacillus cereus pathogen; one common oriental clam sample detected to have the veterinary drug chloramphenicol; one chilled tuna sample found to have the metal contaminant mercury exceeding the legal limit; and one prepackaged vinegar sample found to have acetic acid below the legal standard.
The CFS has taken follow-up action on the unsatisfactory samples including informing the trade concerned of the test results, instructing the trade concerned to stop sale of the incriminated food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.
Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) came into effect on August 1 last year, as of November 30 this year the CFS had taken over 43 600 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing for pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.3 per cent.
The spokesman added that excessive pesticide residues in food may arise from the trade not observing Good Agricultural Practice, e.g. using excessive pesticides and not allowing sufficient time for pesticides to decompose before harvesting. The maximum residue limit (MRL) of pesticide residues in food is not a safety indicator. It is the maximum concentration of pesticide residues to be permitted in a food commodity under the Good Agricultural Practice when applying pesticides. In this connection, consumption of food with pesticide residues higher than the MRL will not necessarily lead to any adverse health effects.
Furthermore, total bacteria counts and coliform organisms are hygienic indicators, and the amounts exceeding legal limits do not mean they would lead to food poisoning. However, manufacturers should review and improve the hygiene conditions in the preparation and distribution of their products.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.
Ends/Thursday, December 31, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:33
NNNN
