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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (January 21) announced the test results of a seasonal food surveillance project aimed at assessing the safety of Lunar New Year (LNY) food. Among the 684 samples collected, three samples were found unsatisfactory. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.6%.
"The CFS collected different types of LNY food, including steamed puddings (e.g. turnip pudding and festive cake), fried dumplings (e.g. sesame balls and crispy triangles), sweetened fruits and vegetables, glutinous rice balls, seeds, dried vegetables and dried soybean products, dried aquatic products, Chinese preserved meat as well as Poon Choi from local food factories and different retail outlets (including supermarkets, groceries, market stalls and restaurants) in the last few weeks for microbiological and chemical tests," a spokesman for the CFS said.
Microbiological tests covered different food poisoning organisms, such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and total bacterial counts, while chemical tests targeted preservatives (e.g. sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid and formaldehyde), colouring matters (e.g. Sudan dyes), antioxidants, metallic contamination (e.g. cadmium, mercury and arsenic) and toxin (e.g. aflatoxin).
"Three unsatisfactory samples were all found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at levels exceeding the legal limit of 500 parts per million (ppm). Among them, two samples of bamboo fungus were at levels of 1,200ppm and 2,200ppm respectively, while a sweetened winter melon sample at a level of 643ppm," the spokesman said.
"Sulphur dioxide, of low toxicity, is a commonly used preservative in food processing. The three unsatisfactory samples containing sulphur dioxide at the detected levels should not pose adverse health effects upon normal consumption. This preservative is water soluble and most of it can be removed through washing, soaking and cooking."
The spokesman reminded members of the public to buy food from reliable shops; make sure the packaging of prepackaged foods is intact and note the expiry date; and store raw and cooked foods separately to avoid cross contamination. They should also maintain a balanced diet and avoid eating too much LNY food with high energy, sugar, fat or cholesterol.
He advised the food trade to follow good manufacturing practice, comply with legal requirements when using food addictives as well as source ingredients from reliable sources to ensure that the ingredients used are within legal standards.
"Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the CFS has taken follow-up action including source tracing, requesting concerned vendors to stop sale and to dispose of those food items, taking further samples and issuing warning letters. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be taken," the spokesman said.
The use of preservatives in food, the spokesman said, must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
Ends/Friday, January 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:31
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