About 350 samples of Chinese herbal medicines in the market are surveyed every year and none have exceeded pesticide limits in the past two years, the Department of Health says.

 The department said figures quoted by a news report today on pesticide residues detected in Radix Ginseng, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, and Radix Notoginseng, were raw data collected two years ago for a research project conducted by the Baptist University for the department. 

The project aimed to develop reference standards for commonly used Chinese herbs in Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards) as there was previously no internationally recognised standards for Chinese herbs. 

The Phase 1 results, covering nine herbs were published in July, for reference by the Chinese medicine sector. Phase 1 will be put into trial use for a year from September.

 16,000 applications

The proprietary Chinese medicine registration system was introduced December 19, 2003. More than 16,000 applications have been received and are being processed.

 All applicants for proprietory Chinese medicine registration are required to submit reports on pesticide residue levels. 

Apart from local control through registration of proprietary Chinese medicine and surveillance on Chinese herbal medicine, the department has networked with neighbouring countries, including the Mainland, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam, on the promotion of standardisation and exchange of information on adverse events related to the use of herbal medicines. 

It will continue to monitor the situation and step up the surveillance.

 People are advised to consult Chinese medicine practitioners before taking Chinese medicines and they should:
* choose suitable pots;
* wash and clean the pot thoroughly before use; and,
* wash the Chinese herbal medicine before cooking.