Hong Kong heightens checks on Philippine crabs after two cadmium超标 cases
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety detected excessive cadmium in two Philippine crab samples in April and October 2026. It ordered product recalls, traced the wild-caught supplies, and tightened import checks on the specific exporters. The government will continue public education on safe seafood co
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has stepped up risk management after two consignments of crabs imported from the Philippines were found to contain cadmium exceeding legal limits within six months. The CFS ordered the affected products to be removed from sale, traced their distribution, and notified the Philippine authorities.
In a written reply to Legislative Council questions on 11 November 2026, the Government detailed that a blue crab sample taken in April and a red crab sample taken in October contained cadmium at 4.74 parts per million (ppm) and 4.12 ppm respectively, both exceeding the 2 ppm limit for crustaceans under the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations. Investigations showed both batches were wild-caught, not farmed.
As a result, the CFS has imposed enhanced border checks: all blue and red crabs from the same exporters will now be held at import until laboratory results confirm they are safe. The CFS also informed the Philippine authorities and will continue to liaise with them to ensure compliance with Hong Kong's food safety standards.
Over the past 12 months (November 2025 to October 2026), the CFS tested 90 samples of imported Philippine aquatic products, of which 88 were compliant. The two failures represent 2.2 per cent of the samples. The regular food monitoring programme covers fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and other molluscs such as squid and octopus, with sampling frequency and test items adjusted according to risk, past results, and international alerts.
The Government noted that the CFS participates in the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) to monitor overseas food incidents. For public health, the CFS's second Total Diet Study indicated that dietary cadmium intake by Hong Kong residents poses no significant health risk, but the centre will continue issuing press releases, using social media, and conducting public education to promote a balanced diet and safe seafood practices.