XN000022-1996-11-18 — Page 5

With the enhanced facilities, results of the quick tests would be known within 30 minutes.

If excessive pesticide residues were found, immediate actions would be taken to recall the contaminated vegetables, she said.

Dr Chan said there were more than 200 trucks carrying vegetables cross the Man Kam To checkpoint every day and almost all of them were now inspected at the control office before going to the markets.

"Between April and October this year, a monthly average of 36,900 kilograms of vegetables suspected of carrying prohibited or excessive pesticide residues were surrendered voluntarily for destruction.

"This compared with only 6,000 kilograms before the commissioning of the new office."

In addition to the quick tests, a portion of samples would be taken for detailed analyses in the laboratory of the food control office where presence of pesticide at a very low concentration could be detected, she added.

Dr Chan, however, stressed that the Health Department would not be complacent and would try its best to maintain food safety.

Funded and supported by the two municipal councils, the purposely-built Man Kam To Food Control Office cost about $35 million. It has a floor area of about 1,800 square metres and comprises a laboratory capable of conducting confirmatory analyses for vegetables, cold storage facilities and a 300 square metres vehicle parking area.

End

Unemployment and underemployment statistics

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period July to September 1996 was 2.6%, and the underemployment rate was 1.4%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

For the period August to October 1996, the provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged, at 2.6%, while the provisional underemployment rate was marginally higher, at 1.5%.