Malachite green used to be employed as disinfectant in some aquaculture centres years ago. (Photo: W Oelen/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Malachite green detected in tilapia sample
HONG KONG
Thursday, June 29, 2017, 01:10 (GMT + 9)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has found a trace amount of malachite green in a red tilapia sample.
Hong Kong Government special administrative region stated that the CFS collected the red tilapia sample from a stall in Tai Ping Market in Quarry Bay under its routine Food Surveillance Programme.
The test result showed that it contained malachite green at a level of one part per billion.
Representatives of the centre explained that malachite green is a type of industrial dye that has been used for treating infection in fish.
Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemicals in food fish.
According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations, no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green.
The regulations also set that offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of HKD 50,000 (about USD 6,400) and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor has stopped sale of the affected product according to the CFS’ instruction.
The CFS will trace the source and distribution of the affected product and claimed that if there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted.
The centre informed that it will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action.
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