Metallic contaminant exceeds legal limit in red rice sample

Food name: Pure Red Rice
Brand: Yu Pin King
Place of origin: Thailand
Net weight: 2 kg
Best-before date: June 14, 2026
Metallic contaminant: Lead
Detected level: 0.32 parts per million
Maximum level of metal: 0.2 parts per million
Sampling location: A supermarket in Tung Chung
Remarks:
  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendor to stop selling the incriminated batch of the affected product.

  2. 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.
  3. Based on the level of Lead detected in the sample, risk assessment showed that adverse health effects are unlikely under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the affected product and taking sample for testing.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Thursday, September 13, 2024