Malachite green found in one seawater fish sample
************************************************* The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 1) confirmed the presence of malachite green in one of the seawater fish samples taken earlier following a complaint about the suspected presence of the chemical in green grouper.
"Among the six samples taken for analysis by the Government Laboratory, a green grouper collected from a fish stall in a supermarket at North Point contained malachite green. The chemical was not detected in the remaining five samples that were collected from a local fish farm, wholesale and other retail outlets," a spokesman for the department said.
"We have advised the fish trader to stop selling the remaining fish stock immediately. According to information provided by the supplier, the green grouper was from Taiwan. The department will actively follow up the case," he said.
"Earlier this afternoon, the department held a meeting with the Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants Company Limited to inform them of the latest test results. The chamber agreed that it would withhold the sale of cultured green grouper until they were tested by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)/FEHD and found to be free from malachite green. It was also agreed that AFCD/FEHD would test samples of every batch of green grouper before they were released into the market.
"The chamber has been most co-operative in tackling this issue. We will closely monitor the situation and continue to take samples for testing at the wholesale markets and import control points," the spokesman said.
************************************************* The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 1) confirmed the presence of malachite green in one of the seawater fish samples taken earlier following a complaint about the suspected presence of the chemical in green grouper.
"Among the six samples taken for analysis by the Government Laboratory, a green grouper collected from a fish stall in a supermarket at North Point contained malachite green. The chemical was not detected in the remaining five samples that were collected from a local fish farm, wholesale and other retail outlets," a spokesman for the department said.
"We have advised the fish trader to stop selling the remaining fish stock immediately. According to information provided by the supplier, the green grouper was from Taiwan. The department will actively follow up the case," he said.
"Earlier this afternoon, the department held a meeting with the Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants Company Limited to inform them of the latest test results. The chamber agreed that it would withhold the sale of cultured green grouper until they were tested by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)/FEHD and found to be free from malachite green. It was also agreed that AFCD/FEHD would test samples of every batch of green grouper before they were released into the market.
"The chamber has been most co-operative in tackling this issue. We will closely monitor the situation and continue to take samples for testing at the wholesale markets and import control points," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, September 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:41
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