Sample of imported frozen sole detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit
| Issue Date | 13.6.2024 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Imported frozen sole |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Frozen Sole Place of origin: France Manufacture Date: February 7, 2024 Best-before: February 7, 2027 Importer: The House of Fine Foods Limited |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | - The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained methylmercury at a level of 0.8 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm. - At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | - The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the product concerned. - The CFS will alert the French authorities and the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if possess it. |
| Advice to Consumers | Should not consume the affected batch of the product. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2024-6-13