Metallic contaminant exceeds legal limit in prepackaged dried porcini sample

Food name: DRIED PORCINI MUSHROOMS
Brand: URBANI
Place of origin: Italy
Net weight: 20 grams
Best-before date: March 10, 2026
Metallic contaminant Mercury
Detected level: After considering the factor for dried food, the sample contained mercury at a level of 0.23 milligram per kilogram.
Maximum level of metal: 0.1 milligram per kilogram

Sampling location:

An online vendor

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 Mercury detected in the sample, risk assessment showed that adverse health effects are unlikely under usual consumption.
  4. The Centre for Food Safety will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the affected product.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Tuesday, September 9, 2025