Prepackaged chilled goose sample found to contain veterinary drug residue

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 1) noted that a prepackaged chilled goose sample imported from the Mainland was found to contain veterinary drug residue of doxycycline. The CFS is following up on the incident.
      
     Details of the product are as follows:
      
Product name: Not available in English
Brand: Merry Gold
Place of origin: China
Importer: Best Union Chilled Meat Company Limited
Use-by date: May 22, 2018
      
     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the abovementioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained doxycycline at a level of 340 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the legal limit of 100ppb. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. According to the information provided by the importer, the affected batch of product has been sold out. The CFS is tracing the distribution of the product concerned. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted."
      
     According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF), muscle of poultry sold in Hong Kong for human consumption is not allowed to contain doxycycline exceeding the level of 100ppb 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 will inform the relevant authorities, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.