Food safety report for March released
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (April 29) released the findings of its food safety report for March. Of the 4 200 food samples tested, eight were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.8%.
A CFS spokesman said about 2 600 food samples were taken for chemical tests, 1 100 for microbiological tests and the remaining 500 for testing radiation levels. Among the eight unsatisfactory samples, the test results of one sample each of white radish, turnip and spinach with unsatisfactory radiation levels were announced earlier.
The microbiological tests cover pathogens while the chemical tests aim to detect pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters and veterinary drug residues, 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 their products
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The CFS took about 1 800 samples of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, preserved vegetables and pickled fruits, dried vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables for microbiological, chemical and radiological analyses. One sample of spinach was found to contain a heavy metal, cadmium, at a level of 0.16 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon normal consumption, the level of cadmium found in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers. But long-term excessive consumption of the food with the same level of cadmium may affect the kidneys. Thorough washing and soaking of vegetables will remove cadmium attached to their surfaces."
All the remaining samples passed other tests (e.g. pathogens, preservatives, pesticides and colouring matters).
Meat, poultry and products
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The CFS took about 500 samples of fresh, chilled and frozen pork, beef and poultry, ready-to-eat dishes of meat and poultry served at food premises, meat and poultry made products, such as Chinese preserved meat, sausage and ham, for microbiological, chemical and radiological analyses. Three samples were found to be unsatisfactory in the tests of preservatives.
Two samples of fresh beef were found to contain sulphur dioxide which is not permitted in fresh meat (including frozen and chilled) at levels of 70 ppm and 470 ppm respectively. One sample of dried pork slice was found to contain butylated hydroxytoluene at a level of 510 ppm, above the legal limit of 100 ppm.
"Sulphur dioxide is of low toxicity and will not cause adverse health effects upon normal consumption. For individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms like breathing difficulty, headache and nausea. As to the dried pork slice, the detected level of butylated hydroxytoluene is unlikely to pose adverse health effects upon normal consumption," the spokesman said.
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, colouring matters and veterinary drug residues) were satisfactory.
Aquatic products
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The CFS took about 500 samples of fish, shellfish, shrimp, prawn, crab, squid and their products for microbiological, chemical and radiological tests. One sample of noodlefish was found to contain formaldehyde, a non-permitted preservative in food, at a level of 1 900 ppm.
The spokesman said, "Occasional consumption of the noodlefish sample with the detected level of formaldehyde will not cause adverse effects to health. However, abdominal pain, vomiting and kidney problems cannot be ruled out for those with high consumption."
Results of other tests (e.g. pathogens, biotoxins and veterinary drug residues) were found to be satisfactory.
Milk, milk products and frozen confections
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The CFS took about 500 samples of ice-cream, cheese, milk and milk products for microbiological, chemical and radiological tests. All test results were satisfactory.
Cereals, grains and products
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The CFS took about 100 samples of rice, noodles, flour, bread and breakfast cereal for microbiological, chemical and radiological tests. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Other food commodities
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The CFS took about 800 samples of mixed dishes, beverages, dim sum, sushi, sashimi, sugar, sweets, condiments, sauces, snacks, eggs and egg products for analyses. All samples were found to be satisfactory.
Surveillance of food for radiological test
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In response to the nuclear power plant incident in Japan, the CFS immediately stepped up surveillance of food products imported from Japan for examination of radiation levels. Among the samples tested, only three samples of vegetables were found to have unsatisfactory radioactivity results, which were announced earlier. All other results were satisfactory.
The CFS will continue to strengthen monitoring of radiation levels in food at both import, wholesale and retail levels and will closely monitor the situation to take timely follow-up actions when necessary.
Conclusion
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The spokesman advised the food trade to comply with the legal requirements and follow Good Manufacturing Practice, using permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers and maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if necessary.
On the detection of non-permitted formaldehyde in a food sample, the spokesman said that since formaldehyde could stiffen the flesh of fish, consumers should avoid buying fish that are stiff. As the preservative is water soluble and dissipates upon heating, they should wash and cook the food thoroughly. Consumers should choose only fish that are fresh and avoid those with an unusual smell.
He also advised the trade to maintain a proper cold chain to ensure that fish and fish products are stored within a safe temperature range during storage, transportation and display for sale. They are reminded that using formaldehyde in food could lead to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up actions including asking the vendors concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the affected food, taking follow-up samples and issuing warning letters. Prosecution will be taken if there is sufficient evidence.
Ends/Friday, April 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:32