CFS announces food safety report for January

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 27) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 11,800 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for 17 unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

A CFS spokesman said about 4,100 food samples had been taken for chemical tests. Some 1 400 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 6,300 (including about 5,900 samples taken from food imported from Japan) were collected for testing of radiation levels.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators, while the chemical tests aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others.

The samples comprised about 3,000 samples of vegetables and fruits and their products; 700 samples of meat and poultry and their products; 1,600 samples of aquatic and related products; 700 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; 400 samples of cereals, grains and their products; and 5,400 samples of other food commodities.

The 17 unsatisfactory samples included 10 vegetable samples found with pesticide residues exceeding the legal limits; three preserved bean curd samples found with excessive Bacillus cereus, a pathogen; one preserved bean curd sample detected with Dimethyl yellow - a colouring matter not permitted in food; two preserved vegetable samples and a dried apricot sample found with sulphur dioxide, a preservative, at levels exceeding the legal limits.

The CFS has taken follow-up action on the unsatisfactory samples including informing the trade concerned of the test results, instructing the trade concerned to stop sale of the incriminated food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risk.

Ends/Friday, February 27, 2015