Laboratory tests show malachite green levels in freshwater fish are lower than those in eels and eel products.

The highest level of malachite green found in eels was 4,500 micrograms per kilogram while the highest level for freshwater fish was 900μg/kg.

Thirty-four fish samples were tested and 21 were negative for malachite green, while 13 had positive results ranging from 1.2μg/kg to 900μg/kg.

On the level of malachite green found in the freshwater fish sampled last Saturday, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said among the eight tested samples, three were detected with positive results ranging from 1.8μg/kg to 18μg/kg.

In the light of such limited information, the Government will take more samples for testing to assess the situation.