HK people warned of fake iodide tablets

Xinhua, March 19, 2011

Hong Kong's food and health officer warned the public on Friday to beware of fake iodide tablets.

Under Secretary for Food & Health Prof. Gabriel Leung told reporters that 30 bottles of fake iodide tablets were found for sale in a Sheung Wan shop during the checks conducted on 74 pharmacies and 34 shops in Hong Kong in the last two days.

The tablets are lozenges containing iodine and it is believed the original labels of the bottles were replaced by fake labels stating the chemical was iodide, said Prof. Leung.

Noting iodide tablets must be registered before sale, he added that there should be no such products available on the retail market.

Speaking on the radiation checks, Prof. Leung said 865 tourists arriving from Japan had asked for radiation checks at the health desk at the Hong Kong International Airport and all have been confirmed safe.

Japan was hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a consequent tsunami last Friday before fighting a nuclear crisis in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, some 220 km northeast of Tokyo.

According to the spokesman, the Center for Food Safety has stepped up its radiation surveillance of fresh produce from Japan. By 2 p.m. Friday, 151 batches of food imported into Hong Kong had been tested and no abnormality detected.

Reiterating the government will ensure a stable and sufficient food supply, he said Hong Kong people do not have to buy large quantities of salt, rice and milk powder. About 9,193 boxes of milk powder were imported into Hong Kong Friday, he added.

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