CFS announces food safety report for September

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 3) released the findings of its food safety report for September. The results of about 9 800 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for 20 samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.

A CFS spokesman said about 3 500 food samples had been taken for chemical tests. Some 1 000 samples were collected for microbiological tests and the remaining 5 300 (including about 5 200 samples taken from food imported from Japan) were collected for testing of radiation levels.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators, while the chemical tests aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contamination, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues, plasticisers and others.

The samples comprised about 2 800 samples of vegetables and fruits and their products; 600 samples of meat and poultry and their products; 1 500 samples of aquatic and related products; 600 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; 500 samples of cereals, grains and their products; and 3 800 samples of other food commodities.

The spokesman reminded the trade to ensure that their food is fit for consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive exposure to contaminants from a small range of food items.

Ends/Monday, November 3, 2014