Chinese wolfberry leaf sample detected with lead exceeding legal limit

​     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 20) that a sample of Chinese wolfberry leaf was found to contain a metal contaminant, lead, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.
 
     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a stall in Wan Chai Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained lead at a level of 0.39 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.3 ppm."
 
     The spokesman said that the CFS had informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and had requested it to stop the sale of the affected batch of the product. The CFS is tracing the source of the product concerned.
 
     "Based on the level of lead detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption," the spokesman said.

     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.