Press Releases

Government concerned about food safety of vegetables for supply to Hong Kong

In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said tonight (March 31) that the Government was very concerned about the food safety of vegetables for supply to Hong Kong. On the traders' claim that there had been illegal source of vegetables supplying to Hong Kong, the Government had brought the matter to the attention of the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau for their follow up actions, with a view to combating food supply to Hong Kong from improper sources.

With regard to some vegetable trucks causing obstruction to traffic at Man Kam To control point tonight to express their dissatisfaction, the spokesman said any acts of obstruction to traffic could not help resolve the problem. The spokesman called on the traders to handle the issue in a rational and calm manner.

"The Food and Health Bureau has all along been maintaining close liaison with the traders and is willing to meet the traders again to discuss issues of their concern and try to help resolve their problems," the spokesman added.

The Centre for Food Safety took over 17,700 vegetable samples for testing in 2008, with 74% from import level. Only four samples were unsatisfactory. The passing rate of test results is 99.9%. The Centre collected 3,700 vegetable samples for tests for pesticide residues in the first two months of 2009, and all were found to be satisfactory.

Members of the public and traders can call the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 2868 000 should they have any information of problematic vegetables from suspected sources.


Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:55

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