Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ11: Testing for pesticide residues in imported fruits
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (June 14):
Question:
Regarding the monitoring of the levels of pesticide residues in fruits imported
to Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether there is a mechanism for monitoring imported fruits; if so, of the
scope and process of monitoring; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the methods for determining the levels of pesticide residues in imported
fruits, the criteria used for comparing the highest levels of pesticide residues
in different fruit samples, and the way to determine the maximum residue limits
for fruits which are not prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the
United Nations;
(c) of the details of the sample checks conducted by the authorities on the
levels of pesticide residues in imported fruits in the past three years,
including the respective numbers of samples taken in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon
and New Territories for inspection, the respective percentages of each type of
the fruits involved in the total number of samples inspected, the respective
numbers of samples of each type of fruits which contain pesticide residues
exceeding the permitted levels and their respective percentages in the total
number of such samples; and
(d) whether different monitoring methods or standards are applied to fruits
imported from different places of origin, and whether, according to the risks
posed by various types of fruits in different seasons, higher-risk fruits are
particularly targeted for inspection during a particular season; if so, of the
relevant methods or standards, the list of higher-risk fruits in different
seasons and the number of relevant samples taken for inspection; if not, the
reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President:
(a) Apart from taking samples of imported fruits for tests at the border entry
points, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) also take fruit
samples at the wholesale and retail levels for tests on pesticide residues at
the Government Laboratory to ensure that the fruits on sale in the markets are
safe and fit for human consumption.
(b) In testing for pesticide residues in imported fruits, we make reference to
the standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission and the results of scientific
analyses and risk assessments. In conducting risk assessments, we would compare
the intake level of the pesticides from the food concerned, as derived from the
amount of residues present in a certain food product and the consumption data
per capita of that particular food, with the safety standards set by the Joint
Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation experts to estimate
whether the residual amount of pesticide would pose a health hazard.
(c) Over the past three years, FEHD has taken about 480 samples of different
kinds of fruits at the entry points, wholesale and retail levels for tests on
pesticide residues. Please refer to Annex for the kinds of fruits being tested.
Amongst the samples tested, only one papaya sample was found to contain
methamidophos at an amount of 1 part per million in 2003. We do not have any
separate figures on the number of fruit samples taken from Hong Kong, Kowloon
and New Territories.
(d) Based on scientific analysis and the risk concerned, FEHD takes appropriate
number of samples from different kinds of food for tests under its regular food
surveillance programme. As fruits are not considered to be at high risk, the
number of samples taken is limited. However, FEHD would adjust the types and
number of fruit samples as appropriate. For instance, it would step up tests on
seasonal fruits such as lychee and longan between June and September every year.
Ends/Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:45
NNNN
Attachment:
Table on LCQ11