June 1, 1998
In response to press enquiries, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said today that pork on sale in Hong Kong is safe to eat.
He said food surveillance conducted by the Department indicated that the presence of clenbuterol residues in pork, if any, is low. The level detected should not cause symptoms of food poisoning according to documented clinical experiences.
Given the dietary habit of the average adult, the chance of food poisoning from affected pork is remote, he added.
The spokesman said DH had initiated an extensive food surveillance exercise in May this year after the association of clinical cases with the consumption of pig lung containing clenbuterol. Since then, the sale of pig lung, liver and kidney had been voluntarily withheld by the meat traders.
Results of this special surveillance programme indicated that a number of pig lung, liver and kidney contained relatively high level of clenbuterol at the initial period but the levels declined sharply in recent samples.
So far, clenbuterol residues were not detected in meat and offal of chicken, cattle and goat. However, small amount of the drug was found in pork and other pig offal.
There had also been no reports of clenbuterol poisoning since the last incident in April this year.
The findings confirmed DH's initial assessment that pig lung, liver and kidney were the higher risk organs which could accumulate high level of clenbuterol residues causing illness to human.
The voluntary suspension of the sale of pig lung, liver and kidney would continue until a new system of monitoring and labelling of live pigs is in place.
The Government would continue to maintain vigilance in monitoring clenbuterol residues in food to ensure that they meet the territory's stringent food hygiene standard and are fit for human consumption.
In the meantime, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department are stepping up inspections of local farms and monitoring of animal feeds. They are also closely liaising with the Mainland authorities to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to make sure that imported livestock is free from contaminants.