City'super withdraws tuna containing excessive mercury imported to Hong Kong from Japan
Centre for Food Safety said a routine test on a sample from the batch showed levels of the metal well above the legal limit of 0.5ppm
The Centre for Food Safety is following up a case of excessive mercury in a batch of chilled tuna imported from Japan and sold by supermarket chain City'super – the second contamination in five days.
A centre spokesman said a routine test on a sample from the batch weighing 69.7kg showed it contained 0.92 parts per million (ppm) of the metal, well above the legal limit of 0.5ppm.
“Mercury can affect the nervous system, particularly the developing brain. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development and affect vision, hearing, muscle coordination and memory in adults,” the spokesman said.
The centre said it was following up on the case and would take appropriate action.
City'super said it had withdrawn the tuna after learning of the contamination from the centre’s press release. It had contacted its supplier and would monitor the situation.
On Saturday the centre said a batch of chilled bluefin tuna imported from Japan by another company contained mercury at 0.73ppm. The authority had informed the importer and sealed the product.