The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in Hong Kong has found non-permissible levels of pesticide residues in a Chinese white cabbage sample.
As part of the investigation, CFS found that 95 vegetable and fruit samples at import, wholesale and retail levels were found to contain excessive pesticide residues.
The tests found that the sample contained chlorpyrifos at a level of 0.21 parts per million (ppm), which means the product contains 2.1 times the maximum residue limit of 0.1ppm.
CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the Chinese white cabbage sample at import level for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme.
"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the samples, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption."
CFS said it will continue to follow up on the incident, and take appropriate action to ensure food safety and safeguard public health.
In order to reduce the intake of pesticide residues, people are advised to rinse vegetables several times under running water, then soak them in water for one hour, or blanch them in boiling water for one minute and discard the water.
