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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (February 5) announced the results of the latest round of chemical and microbiological tests on Lunar New Year food. Of the 446 samples, 441 passed the tests and five were found to be unsatisfactory.
This follows test results released last week in which all 239 Lunar New Year food samples were found to be satisfactory.
Samples in the latest batch included festive puddings and confectionery, dried vegetarian foods, preserved meat, dried seafood and "poon choi".
Chemical tests targeted preservatives, colouring matters, antioxidants, metallic contamination and aflatoxin, while microbiological tests covered pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, etc.
Among the five unsatisfactory samples, a prepackaged bamboo fungus sample "騰龍牌一級（桂洲）竹笙" (Net weight: 38g; best before: 30.8.2010) and a bamboo fungus sample sold in loose form were found to contain the preservative sulphur dioxide at levels of 4,800ppm and 4,400ppm respectively, exceeding the permitted level of 2,000ppm. A sample of dried fish maw was found to contain the preservative sulphur dioxide at a level of 270ppm, exceeding the permitted level of 30ppm.
A sample of Shanghai New Year pudding "大上海水磨年糕" (Net weight: 500g; best before: 30.12.2011) was found to contain the preservatives benzoic acid and sulphur dioxide at levels of 2,700ppm and 48ppm respectively, exceeding the permitted levels (1,000ppm for benzoic acid and 20ppm for sulphur dioxide). A sample of preserved pork sausage was found to contain non-permitted colouring matter "Red 2G".
"Sulphur dioxide and benzoic acid are of low toxicity. They should not pose adverse health effects with normal consumption. As sulphur dioxide is soluble in water, it can be removed after thorough soaking, washing and cooking. However, people who are allergic to them may experience breathing difficulty, headaches and nausea.
The immediate health risk for consuming food containing "Red 2G" is low, but the risk of cancer can not be ruled out for long-term consumption.
"Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has asked relevant shops to stop selling the products, issued warning letters and is tracing the sources, and will take prosecution action if there is sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.
The public may browse the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk) for the latest information on food safety.
Ends/Friday, February 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:31
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