Import ban on geoduck clams from Province of British Columbia in Canada lifted

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (May 19) announced that the import ban imposed on geoduck clams from the Province of British Columbia, Canada, has been lifted with immediate effect.

Following the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin in live geoduck clams imported from the Province of British Columbia in December last year, the CFS banned the import of geoduck clams harvested from the province into Hong Kong on December 24.

A CFS spokesman said, "The Centre has been following up on the incident closely with the Canadian authorities since then. In view of Canada's submission of an investigation report and the implementation of enhanced surveillance programmes and actions, the Centre conducted an assessment and decided to lift the import ban imposed on geoduck clams from the Province of British Columbia.

"The CFS will continue to monitor closely the aquatic products imported from the province. Appropriate actions will be taken to safeguard food safety and public health," the spokesman said.

Ends/Tuesday, May 19, 2015