CFS Warns Against Cadmium-Contaminated Acquerello Rice; Public Urged Not to Consume

CFS urges public not to consume batch of prepackaged rice with excessive cadmium found

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 12) urged the public not to consume a batch of prepackaged rice, which was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Photo source: reference image

Details of the product are as follows:

Produce name: Rice

Brand: Acquerello

Place of origin: Italy

Net weight: 500 grams

Best-before date: February 17, 2032

Importer: Bright View Trading HK Limited

The Acquerello Rice

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned 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 0.24 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.2 ppm," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"Long-term excessive intake of cadmium may affect the kidney functions. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales, remove from shelves the affected batch of the product and to initiate a recall. Members of the public may call the hotline at 3860 1900 during office hours for enquiries about the recall," 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 alert the Italian authorities and the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi yesterday (April 10) in which a woman died.

Police received a report at about 10.09pm yesterday that a lorry driven by a 35-year-old man reportedly rammed into a stationary private car while travelling along Lantau Link towards Tung Chung.

A 54-year-old male private car driver sustained multiple injuries to his head and limbs, while a 57-year-old female private car passenger was suffering from chest pain and a 15-year-old male private car passenger sustained no superficial injury. They were sent to the Princess Margaret Hospital in conscious state. Another 82-year-old female private car passenger sustained head and hand injuries and was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state, she was certified dead at 11.13pm on the same day.

The lorry driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.

Source: AI-found images