Washing tear gas-tainted fruits enough: health chief

Sophia Chan said tear gas, like any other contaminants, can easily be washed off from fruits. Photo: RTHK

The Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan, has dismissed that the use of tear gas near the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market poses a health concern, saying any chemicals on contaminated produce can simply be washed away with running water.



Police last week fired tear gas during a demonstration near the wholesale fruit market, which distributes fresh produce to markets across Hong Kong.



During a Legco panel meeting, Chan was grilled about the health impact of eating fruits possibly tainted by tear gas. In response, the health chief said tear gas is no different to other contaminants and pollutants, and can easily be washed off.



"The fruit might be contaminated by pollutants ... the way of handling [tear gas] is the same. Usually wash them under running water and the pollutants can be washed away," she said.



"But of course if problems are found [with the fruits], of course don't eat them," she added.



Chan said that the Centre for Food Safety is following up on developments, without elaborating.



Chan's response angered legislators from across the political spectrum, such as the Liberal Party’s Peter Shiu and Helena Wong from the Democratic Party. Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki, who's a doctor, said Chan’s remarks were quite irresponsible.



“As we know, the tear gas itself is containing a lot of different chemicals … which is very difficult to be get off simply by washing with water. It was proven to be it would stick on the surface of whatever particles like the human skin, the food stuff and even on the walls”, he said.



Social welfare sector lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun from the Professionals Guild, meanwhile, said he wanted to give Chan a pear sourced from the market a day after tear gas was fired in the area. But the health secretary did not respond to Shiu’s offer.