Results of tests on eggs and fish

The Acting Controller for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, announced today (November 23) the latest tests results for egg and turbot fish samples.

Dr Ho said among results for 34 egg samples (including hen eggs, duck eggs, thousand-year eggs and quail eggs) available today, only one hen egg sample was found to contain Sudan dyes.

"The sample was taken from an egg stall at the Pei Ho Street Market in Sham Shui Po. The eggs in question were believed to be imported from Hunan Province.

"Test results in the past few days show that duck and hen egg samples found containing Sudan dyes all carry labels with Chinese words‘Red-yolk duck eggs'and‘Red-yolk hen eggs' respectively. The CFS advises the trade to stop selling duck or hen eggs with these labels," Dr Ho said.

"People are advised not to eat these duck or hen eggs and should report to us by calling 2868 0000, if such eggs are found in the market.

"The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation. Such egg products, when found, will be marked and sealed for testing."

Turning to the five turbot fish samples tested, Dr Ho said apart from the fact that malachite green was detected in two samples earlier, the latest results showed that drug residues, nitrofurans, were present in all the samples.

"Local traders and retailers should continue to suspend importing or selling turbot fish. We will closely monitor the situation to see whether turbot fish is available in the market," Dr Ho said.

Ends/Thursday, November 23, 2006