The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on September 18 that two durian samples were detected with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limit.
A spokesman said, "Subsequent to the detection of excessive pesticide residues in two durian samples imported from Thailand earlier this week, the CFS has been following up on the incident closely and stepping up sample testing. Two durian samples were further collected at a stall at Kowloon Wholesale Fruit Market for testing.
Test results showed that the two samples contained ethephon at levels of 3.2 parts per million (ppm) and 3.7 ppm, i.e. 1.6 times and 1.85 times the maximum residue limit (2 ppm) respectively. The CFS has marked and sealed the affected Thai durians and is following up on the incident with the Thailand authorities."
"Based on the levels of pesticide residues detected in the samples, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that, generally speaking, removing the shells of hard-shelled fruits upon consumption can reduce the intake of pesticide residues. To reduce pesticide residues in vegetables, members of the public can 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.
To further reduce the intake of pesticide residues, the outer leaves or peel of the vegetables can also be removed as appropriate.
