Pesticide residues in “mungbean sprouts”, “soya bean sprouts” and “lotus tuber” will be included within the scope of Schedule 1 to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM)

Starting from 1 November 2018, pesticide residues in “mungbean sprouts”, “soya bean sprouts” and “lotus tuber” will be included within the scope of Schedule 1 to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) (the Regulation) for enhancing regulatory control of pesticide residues in food.

The Regulation has come into operation since 1 August 2014.  Schedule 1 to the Regulation specifies a list of maximum residue limits and extraneous maximum residue limits (residue limits) for certain pesticide-food pairs.  To facilitate the trade in identifying the appropriate pesticide residue limits that are applicable to the food commodities and their food groups concerned, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) prepared “Guidelines on Food Classification for the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation” (the Guidelines) by primarily making reference to the Codex’s food classification.

CFS has been closely monitoring the latest development in Codex’s food classification with a view to updating the Guidelines while taking into account the local situation as appropriate.  In 2017, Codex classified “mungbean sprouts” and “soya bean sprouts” under the food group “Leafy vegetables (including Brassica leafy vegetables)”, and classified “lotus tuber” under the food group “Root and tuber vegetables”.  Currently, all three food commodities have not been included in the Guidelines. Given that they are commonly consumed locally, CFS will classify the three food commodities under the corresponding food groups in the Guidelines with reference to Codex’s relevant classification.

Starting from 1 November 2018, pesticide residue limits for the food group “Leafy vegetables (including Brassica leafy vegetables)” as listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulation will be applicable to “mungbean sprouts” and “soya bean sprouts”, while pesticide residue limits for the food group “Root and tuber vegetables” will be applicable to “lotus tuber”.  Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

For details of the Regulation and relevant guidelines, please refer to the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk).