Press Releases

Transcript of media session by SHWF on aquatic food products

Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at the Legislative Council today (September 2):

Reporter: Dr Chow, can you also say a few words in English about what sort of follow-up actions have been taken regarding green grouper? Will there be some kind of regulatory measures for food?

Dr Chow: We discovered one of the green grouper also had malachite green yesterday. We traced the source to a possible fish farm in Taiwan. We are doing more tests regarding the batch of fish that is being shipped to Hong Kong. We are able to have more results either this evening or tomorrow morning. Regarding the control of seawater fish, we intend to look at, in particular, screening test for most of the farmed marine fishes in Hong Kong. In some countries, they may use particular marine fish farms that are very similar to freshwater farms. Another area we need the trade to c-ooperate is to ensure they also keep a record of the origin of the fish as well as the distribution to the retailers so that hopefully when we discover anything wrong, we can always trace back and also destroy the batch of fish.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)



Ends/Friday, September 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:41

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