Pincer operation: hairy crab import plan scuttled after 730kg of Hong Kong delicacy seized
- The crabs, usually imported from mainland China or Taiwan, were in 2017 found to have almost double the accepted level of carcinogenic chemicals
- Anyone caught and charged with selling locally produced or imported food unfit for human consumption may face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and six months’ jail
Hong Kong authorities are investigating a batch of more than 4,500 hairy crabs, weighing about 730kg, imported without health certificates at the Shenzhen Bay Port on Sunday.
Importers have been required to apply for a permit since 2018, after the crabs, usually brought into the city from mainland China or Taiwan, were found to have almost double the accepted level of dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls the previous year.
The compounds are known to cause cancer and damage the reproductive and immune systems.
“The hairy crabs concerned were seized by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and have not entered the market. The CFS is tracing the source of the product and an investigation is ongoing,” a spokesman for the centre said in a statement on Monday.
The Food and Health Department and the Customs and Excise Department had been conducting joint operations since October to prevent illegal imports of hairy crabs of unknown origin, the statement said.
Importers with a Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit are required to obtain health certificates for the crabs, and to keep the crustaceans refrigerated.