CFS follows up on vegetables and aquatic products imported from Japan suspected of breaching Food Safety Order
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A spokesman for the CFS said, "During inspections of the concerned consignments of food imported from Japan, the CFS found a pack of fresh hosta from Fukushima Prefecture, four boxes of chilled mantis shrimp manufactured in Miyagi Prefecture, and 52 cartons of sweet potatoes from Ibaraki Prefecture which were not accompanied with radiation certificates and exporter certificates after the Order was issued. The importers concerned are thus suspected of breaching the relevant Order."
According to the Order, all vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk originating from Fukushima are banned from being imported into Hong Kong, while such foods originating from Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma prefectures are allowed to be imported on the condition that they are accompanied with a radiation certificate and an exporter certificate issued by the Japanese authority certifying that the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels and are fit for human consumption. In addition, all aquatic products originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, are prohibited from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong if they are harvested, manufactured, processed or packed on or after August 24, 2023, including all live, chilled, frozen, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incidents. Prosecution will be instituted against the importers concerned should there be sufficient evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Thursday, April 11, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:46
Issued at HKT 19:46
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