Excessive metallic contaminant found in prepackaged dried porcini mushroom sample

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 30) announced that a prepackaged dried porcini 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: Funghi Porcini secchi Speciali
Brand: Max
Packer: Max Delizie SAS di Massimo Zuccato & C
Place of origin: Italy
Best-before date: February 9, 2018
Net weight: 100 grams per pack

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Central for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 1.68 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 0.17 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the test result and instructed the vendor to stop the sale of the affected batch of the product. The CFS is tracing the source and distribution of the product 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 usual 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 follow up on the case and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Friday, June 30, 2017