Warning on fish fibers from Taiwan containing excessive mercury (with photo)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 27) advised members of the public not to eat a brand of prepackaged fish fibers imported from Taiwan as a sample contained a metal contaminant, mercury, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The trade should also stop selling the affected batch of the product.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: BLACK BRIDGE Fried Sword Fish Fibers
Net weight: 170 gram (g) per can
Best before: December 30, 2014
Place of origin: Taiwan

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS took a sample of the prepackaged fish fibers from a retail shop for testing through its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained mercury at a level of 3.5 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.

Based on the level of mercury detected, it is unlikely that the sample would pose any adverse health effect to ordinary adults upon normal consumption. Nevertheless, an adverse impact on the nervous system cannot be ruled out upon long-term excessive consumption (consumption of more than 74g of the product concerned per week). Groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children, should be more mindful."

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the testing result and will undertake prosecution action. The vendor has stopped sale of the affected batch of the product. The CFS has also approached the agent concerned to initiate a recall of the affected batch of the product from respective retail shops, and will alert the trade to the incident.

"To avoid health risks posed by excessive intake of metallic contaminants, people are advised to maintain a balanced and varied diet. Moderate consumption of a variety of fish and fish products is recommended," the spokesman said.

The CFS will liaise with the Taiwanese authorities, continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 27) that a sample of BLACK BRIDGE Fried Sword Fish Fibers contained mercury at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS urged consumers not to consume the affected batch of the product.

Ends/Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:23