The Food & Health Bureau has reiterated Mainland vegetables imported to Hong Kong are legitimate and safe.

In response to a procession by vegetable traders today, the bureau said the Government has formed administrative arrangements with the Mainland to ensure the quality and safety of imported vegetables.

Traders allege some vegetables come from illicit sources under the guise of a proper label and via smuggling activities.

The bureau said strict requirements are imposed on the food safety management system of vegetables through source monitoring and risk management to ensure quality. It has passed the traders' views to Mainland authorities who have looked into the claims.

The Centre for Food Safety conducts random inspections of more than 28,000 trucks transporting vegetables from the Mainland annually. The pass rate for pesticide residue tests is 99.9%. No cases of food poisoning caused by pesticide residues have been reported in the past four years.

Customs investigation

Meanwhile, the Customs & Excise Department is investigating claims vegetable trucks have been used to smuggle commodities and food. It has contacted the claimants numerous times requesting more information and video evidence but to no avail. The bureau appealed to traders and the public to provide information to facilitate the investigation.

Customs officers have checked 7,500 vegetable trucks since January. Neither smuggling of Mainland vegetables or other commodities has been detected. Checks on vegetable trucks at Man Kam To checkpoint have been enhanced and no abnormality has been detected.

Customs has contacted its Mainland counterparts and both sides will co-operate and exchange intelligence.

Responding to the allegation smuggling activities have seriously affected operations at the five Government wholesale markets, the bureau said recent developments in the logistics industry has led to a rise in the direct-selling of Mainland vegetables, and it is inappropriate for the Government to intervene under the free-market policy.