Survey findings on fruits satisfactory

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced today (December 28) the findings of two surveys on fruit.

A CFS spokesman said the Centre took some 350 fresh fruit samples from supermarkets, market stalls and fruit shops for tests on pesticide residues and heavy metal. All the results were satisfactory.

About 40 types of fruit samples, including apples, oranges, bananas, mangoes and strawberries, were tested for some 50 types of pesticide residues and seven types of heavy metal - antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and tin.

The CFS also released the findings of another survey on microbiological quality of 136 pre-cut fruit samples taken from restaurants in hotels, food premises, supermarkets and fruit shops.

The samples covered a variety of fruits, including apples, oranges, pineapples, kiwi fruit, watermelons, papayas, and honeydew melons.

In the survey, the presence of bacteria - E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella - in the pre-cut fruit samples were analysed. Results showed that all the samples were satisfactory.

Despite the satisfactory results, the public and the trade should follow good hygiene practices when handling fresh fruits. These include:

* Wash fresh fruits (including the fruit skins and rinds that are not eaten) thoroughly under running tap water before peeling, cutting or consumption;
* Store cut fruits at four degrees Celsius or below until served or sold; and
* Discard cut fruits left at room temperature for more than two hours.

The trade should also allocate a work area, together with dedicated facilities and utensils, for handling pre-cut fruit so as to reduce chances of cross contamination.

The public may visit the CFS' website (www.cfs.gov.hk) for information of the surveys for reference.

Ends/Thursday, December 28, 2006