Excessive cadmium found in white rice sample

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 9) announced that a sample of prepackaged white rice imported from Japan was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Not available in English 
Place of origin: Japan
Importer: Itochu Logistics (HK) Limited
Net weight: 2 kilograms
Production date: July 12, 2018

     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 0.16 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. The product concerned has not entered the market," a CFS spokesman said.

     "Based on the level of cadmium 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 limits is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.