Imported prepackaged black cod steak sample detected with methylmercury level exceeding legal limit
| Issue Date | 6.8.2026 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Routine Food Surveillance Programme of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Black Cod Steak |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: U.S. Alaska Black Cod Steak Brand: Alaska Seafood Place of origin: United States Net weight: 350 grams per pack Vendor: 永利隆 (Name not available in English) Importer: Galleon International Limited Best-before date: September 20, 2026 |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained methylmercury at a level of 0.8 milligram per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 mg per kg. Methylmercury is the major form of mercury in fish. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS's Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy and young children should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish to minimise excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. The CFS is also tracing the source of the product concerned. The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if in possession. |
| Advice to Consumers | Not to consume the affected batch of the product. |
| Further Information |
Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3643 0172 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2026-8-6