SINGAPORE: Shine Muscat grapes obtainable in Singapore are fit for human consumption, because the fruit is topic to testing for pesticides and different high quality management measures, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) stated on Wednesday (Oct 30).
Concerns in regards to the fashionable fruit emerged final week amid studies from Thailand that unusually excessive ranges of pesticides had been present in a wide range of samples.
In response to questions from CNA, the SFA stated its testing for pesticides in Shine Muscat grapes discovered no residue ranges which might be of meals security concern.
“The SFA will proceed to check and monitor the state of affairs to guard public well being.”
The SFA added it has rules to restrict the residual quantity of permitted chemical compounds, comparable to pesticides, that may stay in meals.
It additionally recurrently conducts checks for pesticides in meals, together with fruits such because the Shine Muscat grape.
Food won’t be permitted on the market if it doesn’t go SFA inspection and meals security testing.
Food merchandise, together with Shine Muscat grapes, should even be imported by SFA-licensed importers.
“Retailers should make sure the meals they promote is from SFA-regulated sources, ready or processed in a secure and hygienic approach and doesn’t compromise meals security,” he stated.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai Pesticide Alert Network final week warned about contamination of Shine Muscat grapes after discovering that many of the samples analyzed contained dangerous chemical residues above most permitted ranges.
Of 24 samples collected from varied places, together with on-line shops and supermarkets, 23 samples contained pesticide residues above the authorized restrict.
Nine samples had been imported from China, whereas for the remaining 15 it was not doable to establish the nation of origin.
The SFA stated in its assertion that Shine Muscat grapes in Singapore are primarily imported from nations comparable to China, South Korea and Japan.
In response to questions from CNA, a spokesperson for FairPrice Group stated common high quality checks are performed on all its merchandise, together with Shine Muscat grapes, to make sure they meet “rigorous requirements” of freshness and security.
“In mild of the current incident in Thailand, our Food Safety Department is intently monitoring the state of affairs and can proceed to evaluate all related info to make sure the continued security of our merchandise.”
The grocery store chain sells Shine Muscat grapes from Japan, Korea and China.
CNA additionally contacted Cold Storage operator and Giant Dairy Farm Group, Sheng Siong and Don Don Donki for additional info.
The SFA stated shoppers can “play their half” to make sure the fruit they purchase is fit for human consumption.
“Wash them properly earlier than consuming,” the company stated, including that lightly scrubbing the floor of the fruit whereas rinsing may help take away pesticide residues.
“Peeling the pores and skin of fruits may help eradicate pesticide residues since most residues are discovered on the floor of the fruits.”
