Press Releases
HWFB studies malachite green test results
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had been
collecting samples from the market for testing of malachite green.
The action has been taken following malachite green was suspected to be present
in Mainland live eels and eel products.
A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (August 21) that
the HKSAR Government was concerned about the presence of malachite green in live
eels and eel products.
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, yesterday convened a
meeting of the inter-departmental working group to assess the latest development
of the incident. The laboratory results showed most of the samples of live eels
and eel products were positive of malachite green. The results were announced
yesterday.
The working group also received laboratory results of the 12 samples of
freshwater fish: four samples taken from local freshwater fish were found to be
negative of malachite green; among eight samples of imported freshwater fish,
three were found to have malachite green.
The spokesman noted the possible community concern on the presence of malachite
green in freshwater fish. The working group was of the view that more samples
should be taken to assess the situation.
The HKSAR Government had immediately notified the State General Administration
of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Guangdong Entry-Exit
Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and
Quarantine Bureau of the test results. They agreed to enhance the inspection of
freshwater fish immediately, the spokesman added.
In addition, the inter-departmental working group met again today to discuss the
latest laboratory results of the samples tested of malachite green. The
freshwater fish samples were taken by the Government from local fish ponds,
border control points and wholesale markets. Please refer to the
annex for the
test results of the 23 samples of freshwater fish.
The inter-departmental working group decided to adopt the following measures to
strengthen the control of imported freshwater fish:
Locally:
* Speed up the taking of samples for laboratory tests; announce the laboratory
results as soon as possible;
*Amend the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations under the Public Health and
Municipal Services Ordinance to prohibit the use of malachite green in food. Aim
to gazette it on coming Friday (August 26) and put it in force immediately
thereafter; and
*Meet with the trade representatives to explain the latest situation to them.
With the Mainland:
* Continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland relevant authorities to
obtain the most up-to-date information; and
*The Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mr Eddy Chan, and the
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Gregory Leung, will depart for
Beijing tomorrow (August 22) to discuss with officials food safety issues, and
ways and means to enhance the safety of aquatic products for supply to Hong
Kong.
Members of the inter-departmental working group included the Permanent Secretary
for Health, Welfare and Food, Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, the
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, the Director of Food and
Environmental Hygiene and the Government Chemist.
Ends/Sunday, August 21, 2005
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Annex