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Dr Leung said the Department of Health had stepped up checking and sampling at Man Kam To and retail outlets. The Shenzhen Commodity Inspection Bureau has been notified.
The six cases affected 14 persons in six families. Twelve persons were treated and discharged while two are still in hospital.
Dr Leung said five cases were related to matrimony vine and one case Chinese flowering cabbage. Of the five cases related to matrimony vine, all the patients consumed vegetable soup made from contaminated produce.
The food remnants in two cases, one involving matrimony vine and one Chinese flewering cabbage, were confirmed today to be contaminated with pesticide residue.
To reduce food poisoning by pesticide contaminated vegetables, members of the public are advised to take the following precautionary
measures:
do not patronise unlicensed hawkers;
do not buy vegetables with an obvious strange smell;
* wash well before cooking;
* dip vegetables into clean water for one hour to allow pesticide to
leach out;
* blanch in boiling water and pour away the water used for blanching as
it may contain dissolved pesticides; and
* cook thoroughly before consumption.
End/Monday, March 13, 1995