Pesticide residue exceeds legal limit in two green radish and one sweet potato samples

Food name:
  1. Green radish
  2. Green radish
  3. Sweet potato
Pesticide:
  1. Thiamethoxam
  2. Thiamethoxam
  3. Chlorpyrifos and Cyhalothrin
Detected level:
  1. 2.193 milligram per kilogram
  2. 0.747 milligram per kilogram
  3. 0.109 milligram per kilogram and 0.199 milligram per kilogram
Maximum residue limit:
  1. 0.3 milligram per kilogram
  2. 0.3 milligram per kilogram
  3. 0.05 milligram per kilogram and 0.01 milligram per kilogram
Sampling location:
  1. A vegetable stall in Tsuen Wan
  2. A supermarket in Kwun Tong
  3. A supermarket in Tsim Sha Tsui

Remarks:

  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendors to stop selling the affected products.

  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 Thiamethoxam, Chlorpyrifos and Cyhalothrin  detected in the samples, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the affected products and taking samples for testing.  
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Tuesday, October 7, 2025