Crustacean inspection: Director of the Fishery Management Committee of Taihu Lin Jianhua (second left) shows Hong Kong officials a hairy crab cultured in the area.

Hong Kong health officials today visited hairy crab farms at Taihu in Jiangsu province.

The delegation, which includes Acting Permanent Secretary for Food & Health (Food) Cheuk Wing-hing, and the Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Eddy Chan Yuk-tak, was briefed on water quality in Taihu, monitoring and control of blue-green algae, and quarantine and inspection of hairy crabs.

They learned that tests on water quality and the crabs indicated that the levels of heavy metals detected were satisfactory and no prohibited veterinary drug residues were found.

Local authorities also outlined the two-dimensional code sealing and labelling system. A label with information on the origin, transportation, quarantine and inspection of the hairy crabs will be attached to each basket to prevent tampering or illegal mixing of the products in the journey to Shenzhen and Hong Kong to ensure they are safe for consumption.