Press Releases
Maintain communication with Mainland on resuming freshwater fish supply
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been maintaining
communication with the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (GDCIQ)
on the recent incidents involving freshwater fish for supply to Hong Kong to
ensure food safety of the products, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food
Bureau said today (December 8).
The spokesman said the Government was notified by GDCIQ today that after
comprehensive investigations by GDCIQ, the three Guangdong registered fish
farms, where malachite green and nitrofurans were suspected to be detected
earlier in their fish products, were confirmed to have met the standards and
requirements for exporting to Hong Kong, and their products were free from
malachite green and nitrofurans.
The comprehensive investigation covered areas including the breeding of fish
fries, monitoring of water quality in fish ponds, medication in the course of
breeding, taking samples for inspection before export and transportation, etc.
The results of the investigation indicated that the samples, which were found to
have chemical residues, might come from improper source or have been
contaminated at wholesale or retail level.
"Judging from the results, the Government believes the system of registration
and monitoring in the Mainland was effective, and fish products from registered
farms are safe. We will continue to maintain communication with the GDCIQ with a
view to resuming the supply of freshwater fish supply from the Mainland as soon
as possible and regaining public confidence in consuming freshwater fish.
"The Government will also work with all relevant departments to combat fish
products coming to Hong Kong from improper channels," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, December 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:28
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