Centre for Food Safety to hold and test imported German eggs and poultry (with photos)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 10) that with immediate effect, all imported German eggs and poultry will be held for testing of dioxins and will only be released into the market after test results are confirmed to be satisfactory.

CFS took the decision in view of detection of dioxins in some eggs and poultry produced in Germany.

The Controller of CFS, Dr Constance Chan said, "According to information from the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, with the exception of two consignments of eggs exported to the United Kingdom via the Netherlands, no affected products were exported to other countries. The German authorities also suspended food exports from the affected farms and processing plants."

While CFS is awaiting information from the German authorities on the names of farms and processing plants affected, the "hold and test" procedure is adopted as a precautionary measure.

"So far, we have collected from retail outlets seven samples of egg which were reported to be from Germany. One of the samples has been confirmed to be of German origin. The sample is being tested and the result will be available in about seven days," Dr Chan said.

"Based on the levels of dioxins detected by the German authority, there is no immediate health concern for people consuming the affected products over a relatively short period of time," Dr Chan said.

"As a precautionary measure, CFS advises members of the public not to consume German eggs and poultry at the moment until test results are known. If they find the affected products in the market, they should call 1823 and CFS will take follow up actions."

Dr Chan added that CFS will also collect and test samples of other German meat products.

"CFS will continue liaison with the German authorities and the European Commission, and monitor the situation closely."

Ends/Monday, January 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:33

The Controller of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Dr Constance Chan (right), points at the laser markings on eggs imported from Germany at a stand-up media session today (January 10). With her is the Principal Medical Officer (Risk Management) of CFS, Dr Henry Ng.

All eggs imported from Germany carry the laser markings "DE" for differentiation.