Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in Papaya and Banana samples

Food name:
  1. Papaya
  2. Banana

Pesticide:
  1. Thiamethoxam
  2. Pyraclostrobin

Detected level:
  1. 0.05 parts per million
  2. 0.06 parts per million

Maximum residue limit:
  1. 0.01 parts per million
  2. 0.02 parts per million

Sampling location:
  1. A vegetable shop in To Kwa Wan
  2. A market stall in Tuen Mun

Remarks:
  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendors to stop selling the affected products.
  2. Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
  3. Based on the level of Thiamethoxam and Pyraclostrobin detected in the samples, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory results, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking sample for testing.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Monday, December 12, 2022