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Hong Kong finds suspected carcinogen in fish from China

Posted on: Sunday, 21 August 2005, 11:21 CDT

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's government said on Sunday it had discovered a suspected cancer-causing chemical in some freshwater fish imported from China, but denied the mainland had suspended exports to the territory.

The discovery is the latest in a string of health scares to hit Hong Kong, which relies heavily on mainland China for its food supplies.

Last week Hong Kong health officials said they had found the same chemical, malachite green, in eels and eel meat from mainland China, and authorities have stepped up inspections of pork after a pig-borne disease in southwestern China infected more than 200 people and killed nearly 40 of them.

"China has agreed to more stringent screening and testing of fish sold to Hong Kong," Health Minister York Chow told a news briefing.

"They have not actually suspended all the imports (to Hong Kong) as I far as I know."

"We do not see the need to ban any freshwater fish from the mainland ... (as) the percentage of fish that tested positive is still on the low side," he added.

Chow said Hong Kong had told Chinese authorities about the test results on Saturday afternoon.

He added Hong Kong needed to strengthen communications with China, and especially neighbouring provinces, about health and food issues.

Malachite green, which has been found to be carcinogenic in rats, has been used widely by fish farmers to kill parasites. The chemical is banned in many countries, including China.

Hong Kong health officials have been destroying contaminated eels and eel products and stepping up random tests since the chemical was found in many samples last week.

Chow had advised the public not to eat the popular delicacy, but the government did not ban imports.

The pig-borne disease, caused by the Streptococcus suis bacteria, has infected more than 200 people in the southwestern province of Sichuan and fears are growing that the bacteria may have spread to other parts of China.

Four people have been infected in Hong Kong since the outbreak in China was first reported in June and nine so far this year.

The government said Deputy Health Secretary Eddy Chan and Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Gregory Leung will leave for Beijing on Monday to discuss food safety issues with mainland officials.

Source: REUTERS

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