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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 23) announced that a spotted scat sample was found to contain malachite green. Follow-up is in progress.
A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the sample from stall No. F15 on the ground floor of Tai Wai Market, Sha Tin, under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained malachite green at a level of 865 parts per billion.
"Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infection in fish. Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemical in food fish. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction."
The CFS has taken follow-up action, including informing the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructing it to stop sale of the affected batch of the product. The vendor noted that there was no remaining stock of the affected product. The CFS will trace the source and distribution of the affected product.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:34
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