CFS finds traces of malachite green in grass carp and grass carp fish maw samples

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 24) announced that trace amounts of malachite green were found in a prepacked grass carp sample and a grass carp fish maw sample. Follow-up is in progress.

Details of the grass carp sample are as follows:

Packed by: Wai Kee Marine Products Ltd
Net weight: 245 grams
Use-by date: August 23, 2018

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the grass carp sample from a supermarket in Ho Man Tin and the grass carp fish maw sample from a stall in Smithfield Market under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that they contained malachite green at respective levels of 0.953 parts per billion (ppb) and 5.13 ppb.

 "Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infection in fish. Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemicals in food fish. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction."

The CFS is following up on the unsatisfactory results, including tracing the sources and taking samples for testing.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action.
 
Ends/Monday, September 24, 2018