The Centre for Food Safety tested 3,900 food samples in August and found 14 were unsatisfactory. About 2,700 samples were taken for chemical tests and the remainder for microbiological and other tests.
The centre found sulphur dioxide in nine beef samples. The preservative is not permitted in fresh, chilled or frozen meat.
A frozen suckling pig was found to contain veterinary drug residue chlortetracycline at a level exceeding the legal limit. The consignment concerned did not go on the market.
A frozen cod fillet and a frozen red shrimp contained high mercury levels, while a fresh fan scallop and a fresh spanner crab had high levels of cadmium.
A chilled pomfret had residue from a non-permitted veterinary drug, metabolite of nitrofuran. A chilled grey mullet had veterinary drug residues malachite green.
A sample of Singaporean style fried vermicelli had pathogen Bacillus cereus, while a Belachan prawn flavoured paste sample contained illicit preservative sulphur dioxide.
The centre has issued warning letters to the shop operators concerned.
Consumers should patronise licensed restaurants and reliable retailers, and have a balanced diet to avoid excessive exposure to food additives. Pregnant women, those planning pregnancy and young children should avoid eating large predatory fish.
