*******************************************
In response to press enquiries on seafood imported from Japan, a spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said today (September 27) that the regulatory standards for arsenic in food are adequate in protecting public health.
"The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) has not established any food standard for arsenic in seafood. Food safety authorities worldwide have established their own standards in accordance with their local situation," the spokesman said.
According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations, the maximum permitted level of arsenic in fish and fish products is six parts per million (ppm) while that for shell fish and its products is 10 ppm.
The spokesman said that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department conducted a risk assessment study - "Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals of Secondary School Students" – in 2002. It was found that the dietary exposure of arsenic was much lower than the safety reference value established by international food safety authorities, indicating adequate food safety protection under normal food consumption.
The spokesman also reminded the public to take a balanced diet.
Meanwhile, in response to media reports that Laribacter hongkongensis was found in fresh water fish, the spokesman called on the public to thoroughly cook their fish before consumption.
Ends/Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:51
NNNN