Fish samples in four A S Watson supermarkets found to contain cancer-causing chemicals: WWF-Hong Kong
Green group says it targeted chains in survey because they lack improvements in striving for sustainable seafood
Fish samples sold at four A S Watson supermarkets across Hong Kong were found to contain cancer-causing chemicals, with the levels in one batch exceeding European Union food safety standards by more than 2.5 times, according to a green group on Tuesday.
The findings by WWF-Hong Kong were part of a survey that involved 36 randomly selected samples of basa, mandarin fish and Japanese eel in 23 outlets across supermarket groups – A S Watson, China Resources Vanguard and Moretide Investments.
Five of the samples tested positive for the cancer-causing chemical malachite green (MG) or its major metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG).
The use of these chemicals on fish for consumption is banned in Hong Kong, mainland China and the United States. Yet, a total of 7.18 micrograms per kilogram of LMG was found in a chilled mandarin fish product sold at a Taste supermarket in Tuen Mun. The EU food safety standard is 2 micrograms per kilogram.
Other affected samples were from a Japanese eel product from the same Taste outlet in Tuen Mun and three mandarin fish products from a Taste supermarket in Whampoa, a ParknShop superstore in Tsuen Wan and a Fusion store in Yuen Long respectively.