Nitrofuran metabolite found in illegally sale hairy crab sample
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A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD bought the abovementioned hairy crab from an online shop suspected of selling the restricted food, hairy crab, without permission, and collected a sample for testing. The test result showed that the sample concerned contained AOZ at a level of 12 parts per billion."
The spokesman reminded the trade not to import or put on sale hairy crabs with an unknown origin, and consumers should make purchases at reputable shops with the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission granted by the FEHD. Operators of food premises who are holders of specified food business licences or restricted food permits must provide on their websites for sale of food the permit information such as the permit number, its registered address and the restricted foods permitted for sale so as to provide a reference for the consumers at purchasing online and also enable them to verify such information through the FEHD website, if they also carry out online sale of food items permitted by the FEHD.
Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) (the Regulation), save for the written permission of the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH), no person shall sell any restricted foods, including shell fish. Operators selling hairy crabs (including physical premises and online sale) shall obtain the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission granted by the FEHD. Furthermore, the relevant regulatory condition also stipulates that hairy crabs for sale shall be obtained from a reliable and reputable source. A copy of the health certificate issued by the relevant authority and acceptable to the DFEH shall also be kept. Under the Regulation, any person who operates an unlicensed food business or sells restricted foods without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
In addition, according to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction. Under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612), any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the record-keeping requirement relating to movement of food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.
The spokesman stresses that the FEHD is very concerned about the illegal sale of hairy crabs and will continue to closely monitor the situation and take stringent enforcement action.
If members of the public suspect that there are operators selling hairy crabs without the relevant permits/permissions or the hairy crabs are not accompanied with health certificates, they may make a report by calling the FEHD hotline at 2868 0000 or through email (enquiries@fehd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, October 28, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:15
Issued at HKT 20:15
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