Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in papaya

Food name: Papaya
Pesticide: Clothianidin
Detected level:

0.02 parts per million

Maximum residue limit: 0.01 parts per million
Sampling location:

A supermarket in Tai Po

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

  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 Clothianidin 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, September 5, 2024