Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ14: Quality of fish tank water in markets
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (October 13):
Question:
It has been reported that the Open University of Hong Kong had earlier on collected fish tank water samples from a total of 12 fish stalls in six markets for testing, and the results showed that the water samples taken from two live freshwater fish tanks were found to contain E. coli exceeding the standard prescribed by the law. However, at present, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department takes water samples for testing from only the marine fish tanks of market fish stalls but not their freshwater fish tanks. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether there were any cases of food poisoning in the past three years which were associated with the quality of freshwater fish tank water of market fish stalls; if so, of the total number of such cases;
(b) of the reasons for taking only marine fish tank water samples for testing; and
(c) whether it has plans to extend the sampling coverage to freshwater fish tank water; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) According to the records of Department of Health, in the past three years, there was no food poisoning case arising from keeping freshwater fish in water of poor quality.
(b) At present, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) takes samples of fish tank water from each stall/premises selling live marine seafood at bi-monthly intervals for E. coli analysis and takes one sample for Vibrio cholerae analysis between May and September each year.
The current control of fish tank water quality mainly focuses on Vibrio cholerae due to its public health significance and potential to cause cholera outbreaks. Vibrio cholerae is mainly found in marine and estuarine environment and is unlikely to multiply significantly in freshwater tanks. E. coli is a bacterium present in the gut of humans and warm blooded animals. It is regarded as a sensitive indicator for faecal contamination. Testing for E. coli in fish tank water keeping live marine seafood would reflect the degree of faecal contamination of the source water.
Currently, FEHD does not apply the same surveillance programme to fish tank water for keeping freshwater fish. Source water for keeping live freshwater fish is mainly tap water which is potable in nature. Potable water provided by the Water Supplies Department is of high quality and complies with the World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, which requires E. coli to be absent in 100ml of water sample.
However, tap water can be contaminated by dirty environment and hence failure to observe good personal hygiene or to comply with hygiene requirements of the premises may lead to the presence of E. coli in freshwater. We will therefore continue to monitor closely the premises selling live seafood to ensure strict compliance of our licensing requirements and conditions.
(c) For reasons stated in (b) above, we do not consider it necessary to apply the same surveillance progamme to fish tank water for keeping freshwater fish. All operators that sell live fish for human consumption are subject to stringent control on the hygiene condition of their premises, including tanks used for keeping live fish. FEHD staff conduct regular inspections at these premises to check their compliance with food hygiene law and licensing requirements and conditions. Frequency of inspection ranges from four to 12 weeks depending on a number of factors including the track record of the premises. Repeat non-compliance with the law and FEHD's licensing requirements and conditions may result in suspension and cancellation of licence.
Notwithstanding the above, we will explore what further measures could be taken to enhance the hygiene conditions of the premises selling live seafood.
Ends/Wednesday, October 13, 2004
NNNN