Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in Chinese amaranth sample

Food name:

Chinese amaranth

Pesticide name:

Chlorpyrifos

Detected level:

0.59 parts per million

Maximum residue limit

0.1 parts per million

Sampling location:

The Centre for Food Safety collected the Chinese amaranth sample at wholesale level.

Remarks:

  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendor to stop selling the affected product.

  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 Chlorpyrifos 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 samples for testing.

  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Wednesday, May 31, 2023