Chilled swordfish sample imported from Japan detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit

Food name:

 Chilled Swordfish

Country of Origin:

 Japan

Metallic contaminant:

 Methylmercury

Detected level:

 1.2 parts per million

Maximum legal limit:

 0.5 parts per million

Sampling location:

 The CFS collected the swordfish sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme.

Remarks:
  1. All the affected chilled swordish imported (1.9 kg) have been collected as samples for testing without entering into the market.
  2. Based on the level of methylmercury detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  3. According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
  4. The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking samples for testing.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/Friday, December 27, 2019