Excessive metallic contaminant found in black rice sample imported from Thailand

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 9) announced that a sample of pre-packaged black rice imported from Thailand was detected with excessive cadmium, a metallic contaminant. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Thai Organic Black Gaba Rice
Importer: Health Factor Foods Company Limited
Best-before date: June 23, 2018
Net weight: 1 kilogram per pack

"The CFS collected the sample at a distribution outlet of the importer concerned 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 importer 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 local trade, closely follow up on the incident and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, August 9, 2016