Latest melamine test results (with tables)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (November 7) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests.
The results showed that all 70 samples tested were satisfactory. These included milk and milk powder, baby food, egg, chilled pork and fish.
"Test results for some milk and milk powder, baby food, egg, cheese and yoghurt will be available tomorrow," a government spokesman said.
Information on the test results can be found on the CFS's website, www.cfs.gov.hk. People can also call the CFS' enquiry number 2381 6096 which operates from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) recently also collected samples of animal feed used locally for melamine analysis. Test results of all the five fish feed samples available today were satisfactory.
The five samples of fish feed were collected from local fish farms. Among them, two were imported from the Mainland, two from Taiwan while one was produced in Hong Kong.
"In the light of reports of animal feed being tainted with melamine on the Mainland recently, we consider it timely to examine the animal feed used in local farms and collect samples for melamine testing so as to assess whether the feed is contaminated with melamine, " the spokesman said.
In the alert update issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Food Safety Authorities Network on October 30, it recommended that when considering limits for animal feed, a similar approach - similar limits - should be taken as for food in order to clearly identify and eliminate adulterated feed products from the food production chain.
"After taking into account the guidelines by the WHO and other countries such as the European Union, and consulted the Food Safety, Supply and Control Sub-group of the Expert Group on Melamine Incident, we decided to set the detection limit of melamine in animal feed at 2.5 milligrammes per kilogramme (equivalent to 2.5 ppm). It is at the same level as the legal limit of melamine in food in Hong Kong. This standard is in line with WHO's recommendation."
"We will continue to advise local fish and livestock farmers to check with their feed suppliers to ascertain that the feed they supply does not contain melamine."
"They should report to the AFCD on any irregularities of their farmed animals suspected to be related to melamine tainted feed," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, November 7, 2008