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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