Hong Kong orders Philippine crab off shelves over cadmium
On.cc · 4 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety said on Wednesday that a crab sample imported from the Philippines was found to contain cadmium above the legal limit after testing under its routine food surveillance programme. The centre has told the importer to stop selling the affected product and remove it from shelves, and is tracing its source and distribution.
Key Points
- The Centre for Food Safety, under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, announced the case on 21 October after testing a crab sample taken at the import level.
- The sample, imported from the Philippines, contained cadmium at 4.12 parts per million, exceeding Hong Kong’s legal maximum of 2 parts per million.
- Authorities said long-term intake of excessive cadmium may affect kidney function, and the centre has already notified the importer of the breach.
- The importer has been instructed to stop selling the affected product and remove it from shelves while the centre investigates its origin and distribution network.
- The centre said it will notify the Philippine authorities and the trade, and continue taking appropriate follow-up action as the investigation proceeds.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong consumers, the immediate consequence is that the affected crab product should no longer be available for sale while the investigation continues. The case also carries legal implications for food traders because selling food with metal contaminants above the statutory limit is an offence punishable on conviction by a fine of up to HK$50,000 and six months’ imprisonment