Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in Lettuce Leaf sample

Food name:

Lettuce Leaf

Pesticide name:

Chlorpyrifos

Detected level:

0.5 parts per million

Maximum residue limit:

0.1 parts per million

Sampling location:

The Centre for Food Safety collected the Lettuce Leaf sample at import level.

Remarks:

  1. Generally speaking, to reduce pesticide residues in vegetables, members of the public can rinse vegetables thoroughly under clean running water, and scrub produces with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances including pesticides and contaminants from the surface and the crevices, when appropriate.
  2. Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
  3. Based on the level of pesticide residue detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking follow-up samples for testing.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/Tuesday July 19, 2022