Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in two chinese wolfberry leaf samples

Food name: Chinese wolfberry leaf
Pesticide: Amitraz
Detected level:
  1. 0.2 parts per million
  2. 0.47 parts per million
Maximum residue limit: 0.05 parts per million
Sampling location:
  1. A market stall in Tai Wai
  2. A market stall in Hung Hom
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 Amitraz detected in the samples, risk assessment showed that adverse health effects are unlikely under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the affected products and taking samples for testing.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Thursday, February 1, 2024