The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 14) announced that a lobster sample was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned lobster sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 3.17 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 2 ppm," a CFS spokesman said.

"Long-term excessive intake of cadmium may affect the kidney functions. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and is tracing the source of the affected product. Preliminary investigation revealed that the affected product has not entered the market," the spokesman added.

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 continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.