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Import Control and Food Safety Guidelines
Monitoring Pesticides Residues in Food
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances used to kill or control unwanted
insects, plants, fungi, rodents or other pests. Insecticides, herbicides,
rodenticides and fungicides are some commonly used pesticides.
Use of Pesticides
The use of pesticides contributes significantly to the
well being of the people. The production and quality of food are increased
through the use of pesticides. The control of disease-carrying pests contributes
to the better health of the people. On the other hand, use of pesticides
has led to various problems. Some of the pesticides are persistent in
the environment and may concentrate through the food chain - from plankton
or insects to birds, fish, animals and eventually to human beings. Some
of these pesticides were found to exhibit evidence of long-term adverse
effects when taken in significant amount. Abuse of pesticides may result
in acute food poisoning. The sporadic occurrence of food poisoning caused
by consumption of vegetable tainted with pesticides is a typical example.
Locally, the Pesticide Ordinance, Cap. 133 administered
by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
provides for the registration and control of pesticides. In accordance
with the Ordinance, a list of registered pesticides approved for use in
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is published in the Gazette every
year. The list is also available from AFCD for reference.
Pesticide Residues in Food
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is responsible
for the overall food sale in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
be it imported or domestic. The Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance,
Cap. 132 stipulates that no person shall sell or possess or consign for
the purpose of selling any food that are unwholesome, adulterated or unfit
for human consumption.
On a routine basis, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department takes samples of different foods for analysis for verification
if the pesticide residues are within the "tolerance levels".
Food containing residues within the tolerances are considered wholesome
and fit for human consumption. Foods containing pesticides exceeding the
tolerances reflect deficiency in practice of application of pesticides
or contamination. Rectification at the source is considered necessary.
Tolerance Levels
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region currently adopts
the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Extraneous Maximum Residues Limits
(EMRLs) for pesticides recommended by Codex Alimentarius Commission of
the WHO/FAO (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations). Up to date, Codex Alimentarius Commission has
set and recommended the MRLs/EMRLs for some 190 pesticides. These maximum
limits are revised and published from time to time. Details and latest
amendments can be browsed or downloaded from the homepage of Codex
Alimentarius Commission.
Enquiry
For further information, please contact the Communication
Resource Unit (Tel No.:2381 6096) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department.
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