The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 2) that 40 bags (a total of 400 kilograms) of dried egg white powder from Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan were illegally imported into Hong Kong, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order and the ordinance governing the import of eggs. None of the product concerned has entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS inspected a consignment of food imported from Japan and found the above-mentioned product from Ibaraki Prefecture therein was not accompanied with a radiation certificate, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order. The Centre took a sample of the product concerned for testing of the radiation level, and no radiation has been detected. In addition, the product concerned was imported without a health certificate and the written permission from the FEHD, breaching the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK). The product concerned has not entered the market and has been marked and sealed by the CFS. "
According to the Order, the import of all chilled or frozen game, meat and poultry, all poultry eggs and all live, chilled or frozen aquatic products from five Japanese prefectures, namely Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, to Hong Kong, must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the competent authority of Japan certifying that the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels."
According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK), any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the FEHD. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incident. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. Investigation is ongoing.
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