CFS alerts public after black cod steak exceeds legal methylmercury limit; recall initiated.

Imported prepackaged black cod steak sample detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 6) that a sample of prepackaged black cod steak was detected with methylmercury, a metal contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: U.S. Alaska Black Cod Steak

Brand: Alaska Seafood

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 350 grams per pack

Vendor: (Not available in English)

Importer: Galleon International Limited

Best-before date: September 20, 2026

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained methylmercury at a level of 0.8 milligram per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5mg per kg."

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3643 0172 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the source of the product concerned.

"Methylmercury is the major form of mercury in fish. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS's Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy and young children should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish to minimise excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food," the spokesman added.

According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The CFS will alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images

Government launches new batch of Silver Bond

The Government announced today (August 6) the launch of a new batch of Silver Bond for subscription by eligible Hong Kong residents.

The target issuance size of this batch of Silver Bond is HK$50billion, with each unit offered at HK$10,000 and a tenor of three years. Interest will be paid semi-annually at a rate linked to inflation in Hong Kong, subject to a minimum of 4.25 per cent. The Government may exercise discretion to increase the target issuance size to a maximum of HK$55 billion from HK$50 billion, subject to market response. Hong Kong residents who turn 60 in or before 2027 (i.e. those born in 1967 or before) holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card will be eligible for subscription.

The bonds are offered under the retail part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework. The Government will provide information on the allocation of the proceeds in the relevant Infrastructure Bond Reports.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government continues to issue Silver Bond this year, offering senior citizens a safe, steady and low-risk investment option while encouraging the financial sector to tap into the business potential of the silver economy. Issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme, proceeds from this batch of Silver Bond will be used to fund public works projects to push ahead Hong Kong's infrastructure and urban development, enhancing people's quality of life while enabling citizens to participate in and benefit from the city's development."

There will be no secondary market for Silver Bond. Bondholders may sell their bonds before maturity to the Government at par together with accrued but unpaid interest. To encourage greater participation from citizens, a maximum allocation of HK$1 million per investor is stipulated, meaning that each investor is allocated 100 units of retail bonds at most.

The subscription period of Silver Bond will start from 9am on August 21 and end at 2pm on September 4. The bonds will be issued on September 15. Eligible Hong Kong residents may apply for the bonds through one of the placing banks and designated securities brokers. The offering terms and subscription arrangements of Silver Bond, including the list of placing banks and designated securities brokers, will be available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website (www.hkgb.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images