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The Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Dr Leung Pak-yin, said this (October 13) morning that the situation of recent Clenbuterol food poisoning was generally under control after a series of territory-wide inspections to all fresh provision shops (FPSs) and market stalls selling fresh pork and raiding operations at blackspots and illegal slaughterhouses.
He said at a press briefing that no new cases had been received in connection with the date of purchasing of pig products after October 9.
The FEHD has so far received 35 suspected Clenbuterol food poisoning cases, involving 82 persons, including 27 males and 55 females. Most of the patients reportedly to have consumed suspected tainted pig products purchased in Tai Po and Sha Tin between October 5 and 9. They have been treated and discharged from hospitals.
Dr Leung said : "Upon receiving notification from the Department of Health, health inspectors of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) immediately collected food samples from the shops concerned and commenced thorough investigations in a bid to tracing the sources of contaminated pig products."
A total of 23 food samples have been collected from 15 shops. Laboratory results available so far indicated that six out of seven samples taken from four of the fresh provision shops and market stalls were tested positive for Clenbuterol.
"We are collaborating evidence from all sources and will lay charges against offenders for selling Clenbuterol tainted pig products," Dr Leung added.
As at 6 pm today, the responsible persons of two fresh provision shops were prosecuted under Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
Following the revelation of poisoning cases, relevant government departments have been working closely to trace the sources of Clenbuterol tainted pig products. Investigations are continuing.
To ensure food safety and public health, about 200 health inspectors carried out 875 and 624 visits to FPSs and market stalls respectively in the past five days. They examined inspection stamps on pig carcasses and purchase invoices to ascertain all fresh meat and pig offal on sale came from approved sources. About 1,000 kilogrammes of pork and pig offal were voluntarily surrendered for disposal.
Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132, selling meat contaminated with Clenbuterol is strictly prohibited. Maximum penalty is a fine of $50 000 and six months' imprisonment.
Meat retailers convicted of selling unstamped pork will also have their FPS licenses cancelled or market stall tenancies terminated.
Three men were convicted this week for possessing unstamped pigs or prohibited food for sale and were fined from $3,500 to $20,000.
Dr Leung advised members of the public to patronise reputable retailers when buying pork and pig offal.
He stressed that FEHD would continue to devote incessant efforts with great determination in taking law enforcement action against offenders involved in illegal slaughtering activities and selling of pork and pig offal not from approved sources.
Since October 9 and up to 7 am today, health inspectors launched about 20 raids against suspected illegal slaughterhouses, mostly in Yuen Long and the North District. In a raid at Yuen Long on October 11, two live pigs were seized.
Members of the public are requested to contact the FEHD through its hotline 2868 0000 if they have information on illegal slaughtering activities. All information received will be kept confidential.
Meanwhile, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department(AFCD) and Department of Health also inspected local farms and collected 54 pig urine samples and 98 animal feed samples for investigation. Local farmers are urged to refrain from feeding any illegal products or any additives of unknown composition or origin to their animals.
The AFCD has proposed to tighten up the control of feeding of chemicals, including banning the use of Clenbuterol, to food animals. By enacting a new regulation, animals found to have residues of the drug, will be seized and destroyed.
End/Friday, October 13, 2000
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