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Excessive metallic contaminant found in white rice sample 
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 15) announced that a sample of prepackaged white rice imported from Japan was detected with excessive cadmium, a metallic contaminant. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately should they possess it.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product: White rice (Tsuyahime)  
Place of origin: Japan
Distributor: Marche (Hong Kong) Limited
Net weight: 2 kilograms per pack
Best-before date: January 20, 2019 

     "The CFS collected the sample for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 0.16 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 ppm. The CFS has informed the distributor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The CFS is also tracing the distribution of the affected product," a CFS spokesman said.

     "Based on the level of cadmium detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused by 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 is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The CFS will inform the trade, closely follow up on the incident and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
 
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:57
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