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Excessive pesticide residues found in mango sample

  • 2015.07.22

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 22) that a mango sample was detected with pesticide residues at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.

A spokesman said, "The CFS collected the mango at a market fruit stall in Sham Shui Po for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test results showed that the sample contained chlorpyrifos at a level of 0.07 parts per million (ppm), i.e. 1.4 times the maximum residue limit (0.05 ppm).

"Based on the level of pesticide residues detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption."

The spokesman added that generally speaking, rinsing fruit thoroughly under running water can reduce the level of pesticide residues. To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the fruit can be peeled.

Since the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap 132CM) came into effect on August 1 last year, the CFS has taken more than 28 200 samples at import, wholesale and retail levels for testing of pesticide residues, and a total of 104 vegetable and fruit samples (including the unsatisfactory sample announced today) have been detected as having excessive pesticide residues. The overall unsatisfactory rate is less than 0.4 per cent.

Any person who imports, manufactures or sells any food not in compliance with the requirements of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation concerning pesticide residues commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

The CFS will follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the sources and distribution of the food in question and taking samples for testing so as to safeguard public health. Investigation is ongoing.