Hong Kong probing contaminated fish from China

AFP, September, 2006

HONG KONG (AFP) — Health chiefs in Hong Kong are probing fish and prawns from China after freshwater supplies were found to be contaminated with cancer-linked human hormones. The latest food scare emerged after tests carried out in southern China's Guangdong province found some fish had been contaminated with the male hormones methyltestosterone and chloramphenicol, which have been linked to liver cancer.

"The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's food surveillance programme has continuously been taking food samples for tests of veterinary drug residues and additives," a statement said. "The department will contact the Guangdong authorities to inquire about the situation," it added. Hong Kong is prone to food scares as growers and suppliers in China, from which the...