CFS announces test results of seasonal food surveillance project on hairy crabs (second phase)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 30) the results of a seasonal food surveillance project (second phase) on hairy crabs. The test results of some 90 samples were satisfactory except for three unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier.

The tests included veterinary drug residues (such as nitrofurans and malachite green), metallic contaminants (such as cadmium and mercury), synthetic hormones, colouring matters (such as Sudan dyes), pesticide residues, and dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Among the above-mentioned 90 samples, 18 samples were tested for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. Except for the three samples which had been detected with dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs exceeding the action level adopted by the CFS as announced earlier, the samples passed the test."

Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are a group of chemical compounds which are persistent environmental pollutants and highly toxic. They can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and can cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs as human carcinogens. Dioxins arise either naturally or as by-products of industrial activities. Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are fat-soluble and not easily broken down. They tend to accumulate in fatty tissues and along the food chain.

The CFS has followed up on the unsatisfactory samples, including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, suspending the import into and sale within Hong Kong of hairy crabs raised in the two aquaculture farms concerned, instructing the vendors concerned to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

The CFS will continue to take appropriate follow-up action to ensure food safety and safeguard public health.

Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2016