Pesticides
are substances used to kill or control unwanted insects,
plants, fungi, rodents or other pests. Insecticides,
herbicides, rodenticides and fungicides are some commonly
used pesticides.
Use
of Pesticides
The
use of pesticides contributes significantly to the well
being of the people. The production and quality of food
are increased through the use of pesticides. The control
of disease-carrying pests contributes to the better
health of the people. On the other hand, use of pesticides
has led to various problems. Some of the pesticides
are persistent in the environment and may concentrate
through the food chain - from plankton or insects to
birds, fish, animals and eventually to human beings.
Some of these pesticides were found to exhibit evidence
of long-term adverse effects when taken in significant
amount. Abuse of pesticides may result in acute food
poisoning. The sporadic occurrence of food poisoning
caused by consumption of vegetable tainted with pesticides
is a typical example.
Locally,
the Pesticide Ordinance, Cap. 133 administered by the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(AFCD) provides for the registration and control of
pesticides. In accordance with the Ordinance, a list
of registered pesticides approved for use in Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region is published in the Gazette
every year. The list is also available from AFCD for
reference.
Pesticide
Residues in Food
The
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is responsible
for the overall food sale in Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region, be it imported or domestic. The Public Health
and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132 stipulates
that no person shall sell or possess or consign for
the purpose of selling any food that are unwholesome,
adulterated or unfit for human consumption.
On
a routine basis, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department takes samples of different foods for analysis
for verification if the pesticide residues are within
the "tolerance levels". Food containing residues
within the tolerances are considered wholesome and fit
for human consumption. Foods containing pesticides exceeding
the tolerances reflect deficiency in practice of application
of pesticides or contamination. Rectification at the
source is considered necessary.
Tolerance
Levels
Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region currently adopts
the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Extraneous Maximum
Residues Limits (EMRLs) for pesticides recommended by
Codex Alimentarius Commission of the WHO/FAO (World
Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations). Up to date, Codex Alimentarius
Commission has set and recommended the MRLs/EMRLs for
some 190 pesticides. These maximum limits are revised
and published from time to time. Details and latest
amendments can be browsed or downloaded from the homepage
of Codex
Alimentarius Commission.
Enquiry
For further information,
please contact the Communication Resource Unit (Tel
No.:2381 6096) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department.
Last
review date: 08-02-2007