Excessive metallic contaminant found in prepackaged bamboo fungus sample

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 7) announced that a prepackaged bamboo fungus 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 Bamboo Fungus
Brand name: Kai Tsun Tong
Place of origin: China
Distributor: Kai Tsun Tong International Group Limited
Best-before date: June 19, 2017
Net weight: 40 grams per pack

"Subsequent to announcing a prepacked bamboo fungus sample with excessive cadmium collected from a supermarket in Hung Hom, the CFS further took a sample of prepackaged bamboo fungus of the same kind but from a different batch from the same supermarket for testing. The result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 2.8 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 bamboo fungus sample was 0.252ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the test result and has instructed the vendor to stop the sale of all batches of the affected product. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. 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 action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, July 7, 2016