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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 19) that the import of brown crabs from the Isle of Anglesey, the United Kingdom be banned with immediate effect because two brown crab samples from the area were detected with excessive cadmium, a metallic contaminant. The trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately. Consumers who have purchased the affected product should also stop consuming them.
"The CFS collected the two brown crab samples from the Isle of Anglesey, the United Kingdom, at import level for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test result showed that the samples contained cadmium at levels of 15 parts per million (ppm) and 22 ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limit of two ppm."
"The CFS immediately contacted the two importers concerned. According to the information provided by one of the importers concerned, the Worldwide Seafood Limited, the company has imported four cartons of the affected product with a total weight of about 64 kg. All of the concerned products have been surrendered to the CFS for disposal and none entered the market. Meanwhile, the information provided by another importer, the Longfine Seafood Trading Company Limited, showed that the company had imported 20 cartons of the affected product with a total weight of about 320 kg, of which part of the product (about 160 kg) had been distributed and the remaining stock were marked and sealed by the CFS for further action. The CFS has instructed the importer to initiate a recall while tracing the distribution of the affected product."
"The CFS has informed the two importers of the irregularity. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be considered. The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately. Consumers who have purchased the affected product should stop consuming them," the spokesman added.
"Occasional consumption of crabs with cadmium at the detected level will not cause adverse health effects to consumers. However, prolonged excessive intake of cadmium may have adverse effects on the kidneys. The CFS advises the public to maintain a balanced diet and the trade is advised to source crabs that are grown in and harvested from areas of clean water," he 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.
The CFS has informed the relevant authorities of the United Kingdom and the local trade and will continue to closely follow up the incident and take appropriate actions, including enhanced surveillance of aquatic products imported from the United Kingdom, to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:27
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