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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (April 30) released the findings of its Food Safety Report for March with 4,400 food samples tested. Nine samples were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.8%.
A spokesman for the CFS said that about 3,000 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 1,400 for microbiological and other tests. Among the nine unsatisfactory samples, four beef samples were found to contain sulphur dioxide and had been published earlier.
The microbiological tests cover pathogens and the chemical tests detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination and colouring matters, etc.
The samples included vegetables, fruits and their products; meat, poultry and their products; aquatic products; milk, milk products and frozen confections; and cereals, grains and their products.
Vegetables, fruits and products
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About 2,000 samples of vegetables, fruits and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. All the samples were satisfactory.
Meat, poultry and products
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The CFS collected about 600 samples of meat, poultry and their products for microbiological and chemical tests. A total of five, including the four beef samples announced earlier, were found to be unsatisfactory. The fifth was a sample of frozen suckling pig which was found to contain chlortetracycline at a level of 0.26 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the permitted level of 0.1ppm.
Results of other tests (for pathogens, preservatives and colouring matters, etc) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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About 200 samples, including fish, shellfish and their products, were analysed for micro-organisms, chemicals and biotoxins. A sample of raw oyster was found to contain norovirus nucleic acid.
All the results for veterinary drug residues, metallic contamination, biotoxins and preservatives were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 700 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections for microbiological and chemical analyses (including melamine, colouring matters and sweeteners). A chocolate milk beverage sample was found to contain a colony count of more than 10, exceeding the legal limit of less than 10.
Cereals, grains and products
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About 100 samples were tested for micro-organisms and chemicals. All the samples were satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 800 samples including dim sum, sushi, sashimi, condiments and sauces for tests. Two samples were found to be unsatisfactory.
A sample of salty Hakka dumpling was found to contain Bacillus cereus at a level of 2,500,000 per gramme.
A coconut cake sample was found to contain the preservative sorbic acid at a level of 1,700 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 1,000 ppm for this type of food.
Conclusion
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"The sample of chocolate milk beverage was taken from the importer. The entire batch had been marked and sealed. No stock had been released into the market. Also, the sample of oyster was taken from the supplier and no oyster of the same batch had been released into the market," the spokesman said.
On the low level of chlortetracycline found in the frozen suckling pig sample, and the preservative found in the coconut cake sample, which is of low toxicity, the spokesman said normal consumption should not pose significant health hazards.
He urged the food trade to use only permitted food additives, follow good manufacturing practices and comply with legal requirements.
On the food sample detected with the pathogen Bacillus cereus, the spokesman said it might be related to poor food processing hygiene and reminded food handlers to follow the "Five Keys to Food Safety", namely choose wisely, keep clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly and keep food at a safe temperature.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up actions, including asking the concerned vendors to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking further samples and issuing warning letters. "If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be taken out," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, April 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:02
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