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The Centre for Food Safety tested 8,400 food samples in January and February with an overall pass rate of 99.5%. Only 39 failed the tests.
The centre's Assistant Director (Food Surveillance & Control) Dr Miranda Lee said most of the breaches were not serious and would not cause adverse health effects if consumed normally.
Among the unsatisfactory cases, Dr Lee said mercury was found in two swordfish samples while a raw oyster sample was found to have Norovirus nucleic acid.
A sample of rice with curry chicken contained Clostridium perfringen, while a canned pork sample was found to have a trace amount of clenbuterol.
Dr Lee said Norovirus nucleic acid and Clostridium perfringens may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
"For the sample detected with mercury, occasional consumption should not cause adverse health effects, but consumption on a long-term basis could exceed safety levels. High-risk groups such as children, pregnant women and women planning for pregnancy should avoid eating large predatory fish, such as swordfish and tuna."
Regarding the unsatisfactory samples, the centre has taken follow-up actions, including tracing the source of food in question, asking concerned vendors to stop selling and to dispose of those food items, taking further samples, and issuing warning letters. If there is sufficient evidence, it will take action to prosecute.
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