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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (September 29) released the findings of its food safety report for August. Of the 3,900 food samples tested, 14 samples were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.6%.
A CFS spokesman said that about 2,700 food samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 1,300 for microbiological and other tests. Among the 14 unsatisfactory samples, the test results of five fresh beef samples were announced earlier today.
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 1,600 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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About 400 samples of meat, poultry and their products were taken for microbiological and chemical tests. Other than the five unsatisfactory fresh beef samples announced earlier, one sample of frozen suckling pig was found unsatisfactory. The sample was found to contain a veterinary drug residue chlortetracycline, at a level of 0.55ppm exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm.
The CFS spokesman said "The frozen suckling pig sample was taken at import level when follow-up actions were taken for an unsatisfactory sample tested earlier. The consignment concerned did not enter the market."
Samples for other tests including pathogens and colouring matters were found satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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About 400 samples, including fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products, were analysed for micro-organisms and chemicals. Among the six unsatisfactory samples, four were found with metallic contamination and the rest with veterinary residues.
One sample of frozen cod fillet and one sample of frozen red shrimp were found to contain mercury at the level of 1.00ppm and 0.78ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5ppm. The spokesman said "At the detected mercury levels, occasional consumption would not cause adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis might affect the nervous system."
One sample of fresh fan scallop and one sample of fresh spanner crab were found to contain cadmium at the level of 2.59ppm and 4.87ppm respectively, above the legal limit of 2ppm.
One sample of chilled pomfret was found to contain residues of a non-permitted veterinary drug, metabolite of nitrofuran (AOZ) at the level of 0.0012ppm. One sample of chilled grey mullet was found to contain veterinary drug residues malachite green at a level of 0.082ppm.
The spokesman pointed out that the levels of malachite green found in the chilled grey mullet, metabolite of nitrofuran (AOZ) in the chilled pomfret and cadmium in the fresh fan scallop and fresh spanner crab were low. Upon normal consumption, it was unlikely to pose adverse health effects. But consumption of food containing excessive cadmium on a long-term basis might affect the kidney.
Results of other tests including those for pathogens, preservatives, colouring matters and biotoxins were satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 900 samples including ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for microbiological (total bacterial count and pathogens) and chemical analyses (including for melamine, colouring matters and sweeteners). All the samples were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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About 200 samples including rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal was tested for micro-organisms and chemicals. All the samples were satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 400 samples, including beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for tests.
One sample of fried vermicelli, Singaporean style was found to have a pathogen, Bacillus cereus at a level of 420,000 per gramme. One sample of Belachan prawn flavoured paste was found to contain a non-permitted preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level of 13.5ppm.
"Presence of excessive pathogen Bacillus cereus in the sample of vermicelli, Singaporean style may be due to poor hygiene conditions during food processing," the spokesman said. He reminded the food trade to follow the "5 keys to Food Safety" when preparing food to prevent foodborne diseases.
The sulphur dioxide which was not permitted to be used in the Belachan prawn flavoured paste was of low toxicity and should not pose significant health effects on consumers, the spokesman noted. However, individuals who are allergic to sulphur dioxide may have symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea.
Conclusion
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The CFS spokesman urged the food trade to use only permitted food additives, follow good manufacturing practices and comply with legal requirements. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if needed.
He advised consumers to patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers, and to take a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive exposure to food additives.
"Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children are the groups susceptible to mercury. When choosing food, they should avoid eating large predatory fish," he added.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up action, including asking the concerned vendors to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking further samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
Ends/Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:28
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