Excessive metallic contaminant found in prepackaged bamboo fungus sample
| Issue Date | 7.7.2016 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Dried bamboo fungus |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Dried Bamboo Fungus |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | 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. 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. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | 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. The CFS is tracing the source and distribution of the food item in question. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the product concerned immediately. |
| Advice to Consumers | Not to consume the affected batch of the product. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2016-7-7