Excessive metallic contaminant found in prepackaged dried mushroom sample

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 27) announced that a prepackaged dried mushroom sample was detected with a metallic contaminant, cadmium, at a level exceeding the legal limit. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product and the trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Dried Mushroom
Brand name: Treasure Tree
Distributor: Hong Kong Greenking Food Stuff Co Ltd
Best-before date: October 10, 2017
Net weight: 200 grams per pack

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Causeway Bay for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 1.7 parts per million (ppm). After applying the conversion factors for dried foods as recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the reported cadmium level for the sample was 0.11 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the test result and has instructed the vendor to stop the sale of the affected batch of the product. The CFS is tracing the source and distribution of the food item in question," a CFS spokesman said.

According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

"Based on the level of cadmium detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption. However, consumers who have bought and still possess the affected batch of the product should stop eating it," the spokesman said.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to closely follow up on the case and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Monday, June 27, 2016