The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 4) that a sample of imported chilled duck was found with excessive sulfonamides, a veterinary drug residue. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned chilled duck sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulfonamides at a level of 210 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the legal limit of 100 ppb. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. According to the information provided by the importer, the products concerned have sold out. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the products concerned.
"According to the detected level of the veterinary drug residue found in the sample concerned, normal consumption is unlikely to pose adverse health effects," the spokesman added.
According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF), muscle of food animals sold in Hong Kong for human consumption is not allowed to contain sulfonamides exceeding the level of 100 ppb per kilogram of the food. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
The CFS has informed the Mainland authorities, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
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