Metallic contaminant exceeds legal limit in sweet potato sample

Food name:

Sweet potato

Metallic contaminant:

 Lead

Detected level:

 0.18 parts per million

Maximum level of metal:

 0.1 parts per million

Sampling location:

 A vegetable shop in Kwun Tong

Remarks:

  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendor to stop selling the affected product.

  2. According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

  3. Based on the level of sweet potato detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.  

  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking sample for testing.  

  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Friday, March 24, 2023