17 food samples fail tests

May 31, 2011

Of the 6,900 food samples the Centre for Food Safety tested in April, 99.8% were found to be satisfactory.
 
According to the findings the centre released today, 17 samples failed the test, including 14 samples of two flavours from a consignment of frozen confections that were imported to Hong Kong for the first time. They   contained excessive coliform organisms, at levels between 120 and 1,300 per gram, more than the legal limit of 100 per gram.
 
The centre said the samples were collected at import level and no affected products had entered the market.
 
A carrot sample was found to contain a metal contaminant, cadmium, at a level of 0.18ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm. The cadmium level in the food sample is unlikely to pose adverse health effects, but long-term excessive consumption may affect the kidneys. Washing and soaking vegetables thoroughly will remove cadmium attached to their surfaces.
 
A frozen razor clam meat sample was also found to contain cadmium, at a level of 2.17ppm. 
 
A fresh pork sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a prohibited preservative in fresh, chilled or frozen meat. The centre announced that test result on May 19.