CFS finds trace of malachite green in prepackaged eel sample

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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 21) announced that a trace amount of malachite green was found in a prepackaged eel sample. Follow-up is in progress.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product: Not available in English
Distributor: Wellcome Company Ltd.
Use-by date: August 18, 2018

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the eel sample from a supermarket in Causeway Bay for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained malachite green at a level of 9.7 parts per billion.

     "Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infection in fish. Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemicals in food fish. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction."

     The CFS is following up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking samples for testing. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Issued at HKT 20:11

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