CFS finds pesticide residues in three salted fish samples

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 22) found three samples of loose-pack salted fish (two croaker samples and one threadfin sample) with pesticide residues. Follow-up is in progress.

"The CFS collected the three salted fish samples from an importer for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that the samples contained dichlorvos at levels from 0.026 parts per million (ppm) to 0.057 ppm. According to the law, the food concerned should not contain pesticide residues," a CFS spokesman said.

"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the three samples, adverse health effects will not be caused by normal consumption. According to the information provided by the importer, the affected products came from Thailand. The Centre will notify the Thailand authorities of the incident. All affected products have been marked and sealed and have not entered the local market," he added.

According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, any person who sells to the prejudice of a purchaser any food which is not of the nature, substance or quality of the food demanded by the purchaser shall be guilty of an offence, and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.

The CFS will continue to investigate the case and take appropriate actions to safeguard public health.

Ends/Friday, May 22, 2015