Urine samples from local farm pigs confirmed to contain veterinary drug residue

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 11) announced that test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the urine samples taken from a batch of locally produced pigs contained veterinary drug residue of chloramphenicol, which is an antibiotic not permitted in food animals.

The batch of 19 pigs, which was isolated, has been destroyed.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "To ensure food safety, urine testing is conducted on every batch of pigs sent for slaughtering at slaughterhouses, and no pigs will be slaughtered and released to the market for sale unless they have passed the veterinary drug residues test."

According to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation (Cap 139N), chloramphenicol is one of the prohibited chemicals in food animals. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000.

The CFS will continue to monitor food animals admitted to slaughterhouses and take samples for testing to ensure food safety. The Centre will also work with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to follow up closely on the case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Wednesday, January 11, 2017