Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says the Government is exploring the feasibility of requiring vegetable importers to be registered with the Food Safety Centre. The arrangement will depend on the implementation and results of the same regulatory mode on eggs.

The Government is also considering amending legislation to empower authorities to order all wholesalers and retailers to suspend selling problem food, including vegetables.

Dr Chow today told lawmakers that as the food-safety risk of vegetables and fruit is relatively lower than that of meat and milk, the Government does not have provisions regulating the levels of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruit at present.

For a more effective control of the use of chemicals in vegetables and fruit, the centre will consider regulating by legislation.

"The centre will consult the Expert Committee on Food Safety in determining the priority of work, including setting maximum permitted levels of pesticides in vegetables and fruit, so that the concerned study can be started. Subject to the views of the Expert Committee, we will study the concerned legislative work and timetable," he said.