CFS finds excessive pesticide residues in vegetable sample

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 17) found that the level of pesticide residues in a purslane sample exceeded the legal limit. While the CFS is following up on the case, members of the public are reminded to prepare vegetables suitably before consumption, including rinsing and soaking them, to reduce any pesticide residues on the surface.

A CFS spokesman said, "Following up on an unsatisfactory water spinach sample taken earlier at the Vegetable Marketing Organization in Cheung Sha Wan, the CFS collected the purslane sample from the same wholesale vendor for testing. The test result showed that it contained Dimethoate at a level of 5.2 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 5.2 times the maximum residue limit (1 ppm). According to the preliminary information provided by the vendor concerned, the purslane and the unsatisfactory water spinach came from the same local farm. The vendor concerned does not have any remaining stock of the affected batch of purslane."

He added, "Based on the level of pesticide residues detected in the sample, consumption of more than 230 grams of the purslane concerned within a short period of time may cause acute adverse health effects. Symptoms would include blurred vision, sweating, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and elevated blood pressure."

To minimise health risks posed by consuming vegetables contaminated by pesticide residues, the spokesman reminded the public to rinse vegetables several times under running water before soaking them in water for one hour, or blanch the vegetables in boiling water for one minute and discard the water, or do both to further minimise risks.

Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) came into effect on August 1, the CFS has taken over 5 000 food samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues. Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.

The CFS will inform the trader concerned of the above-mentioned result, seek legal advice on prosecution matters and continue to safeguard food safety and public health by taking different samples of vegetables for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme.

Ends/Friday, October 17, 2014