The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 13) that a sample of tossed noodles with shredded chicken was found to contain a pathogen, Salmonella. The CFS is foll… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 13) that a sample of loose-packed Shanghai noodles was found to contain a preservative, benzoic acid, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the abovementioned sample from a shop in Tin Shui Wai for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained benzoic acid at a level of 1640 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 1000 ppm.”
The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale of the affected product. The CFS is tracing the source of the affected product.
Benzoic acid is a preservative of low toxicity. Based on the level detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption.
The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 13) announced that a trace amount of malachite green was found in a grass carp sample. Follow-up is in progress.  … read more
Two men who smuggled European eels were convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and were sentenced to imprisonment.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that a 24-year-old local man and a 60-year-old Austrian male passenger arrived on December 1, 2018, from Lisbon, Portugal, via Moscow, Russia. A total of about 30 kilograms of European eels were found in their check-in suitcases by Customs officers.
During follow-up investigations, AFCD officers applied real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and confirmed all the test samples came from European eels. The AFCD then charged both men with the illegal import of a listed species in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The 60-year-old male was convicted at the District Court on June 11. With 12 months’ imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing, he was sentenced to eight months behind bars after reduction because he pleaded guilty. The 24-year-old male was also convicted at the District Court today (June 13). With 12 months’ imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing, he was sentenced to six months behind bars after reduction due to his background and his guilty plea.
European eels are listed in Appendix II to the CITES and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. The penalties under the Ordinance have been amended and increased since May 1 last year. Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction. Members of the public are urged not to break the law.
To enquire about the control of endangered species or to report suspected irregularities, the public can call the AFCD on 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk. read more
The following is issued on behalf of Hospital Authority: In response to media enquiries on number of casualties, the spokesperson for the Hospital Authority gave the following reply today (June 13): &nbs… read more