Canned fish in Hong Kong found with various levels of metallic contaminants, consumer watchdog warns against overconsumption
- Consumer Council also notes pollution in natural environment, as similar study 16 years ago did not show same results
- Watchdog says consumers should not be too concerned, but advises against excessive consumption and for pregnant women to avoid processed fish
Some samples of canned fish in Hong Kong were found with various levels of metallic contaminants which could pose health risks if eaten excessively, according to the city’s consumer watchdog.
The Consumer Council also found that the impurities recorded were not present in a similar study conducted 16 years ago.
In all, 46 samples of canned fish available on the market were tested. These comprised 19 types of sardines, 20 types of tuna and seven kinds of dace fish, with prices ranging from HK$7.80 to HK$149 per can.
Sardines were found to contain the highest level of cadmium on average, followed by tuna, while the chemical was not found in dace fish samples.
Consumers shouldn’t be too worried about eating canned fish in general, as you have to eat a huge amount over a long period of time to be adversely affected
The watchdog found that 17 out of 19 sardine samples contained traces of cadmium, which could lead to chronic poisoning or irreversible kidney malfunction if excessively consumed.
Two sardine samples originating from Thailand contained 0.11mg to 0.13mg of cadmium per kilogram (mg/kg), which slightly exceeded the maximum safe level for the substance – 0.1mg – under the Food Adulteration Regulation which will take effect in the city in November.
Another sardine sample from Morocco hit the maximum safe level for cadmium.
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“Consumers shouldn’t be too worried about eating canned fish in general, as you have to eat a huge amount over a long period of time to be adversely affected,” said Nora Tam Fung-yee, chairwoman of the council’s research and testing committee.
Tam also explained that these contaminants existed in the natural food chain and could accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals, which is then ultimately consumed by humans.
She urged food manufactures to adopt stringent environmental controls, especially in the fishing and canned food processing industry, to lower the food safety risk.
The latest study reflects the severity of environmental pollution in the food chain, which in turn shows the increased contamination in canned fish
Gilly Wong Fung-han, chief executive of the council, said traces of the various contaminants in canned fish had grown compared to when the watchdog conducted a similar study in 2004, largely due to pollution.
The study 16 years ago involved tests on nine types of sardines and eight types of tuna. While arsenic was found in all samples, the levels complied with food regulations at the time.
But the previous study did not find any cadmium, lead or PCB contaminants in canned fish.
“This latest study reflects the severity of environmental pollution in the food chain, which in turn shows the increased contamination in canned fish,” Wong said.
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The consumer watchdog also found that half of sardine samples contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a carcinogenic contaminant.
More than 70 per cent of sardine samples, and more than 10 per cent of the tuna samples were found to contain inorganic arsenic, which is relatively toxic to humans. Prolonged intake could lead to neurologic and cardiovascular diseases.
But the samples only contained 0.04 to 0.08mg/kg of the substance, below the 0.1mg/kg maximum safe limit under Hong Kong’s food safety guidelines.
Methylmercury, which could hinder nervous system growth in fetuses, was detected in 18 out of the 20 types of tuna samples. The traces ranged from 0.06mg/kg to 0.28mg/kg, within the 0.5mg/kg upper limit in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, all seven types of canned dace fish tested had lower levels of metallic contaminants and PCBs.
Wong added: “This does not mean that consumers should avoid eating fish altogether. Canned fish is still an easy source of high protein. Just remember to eat in moderation.”
She cautioned pregnant women against eating processed fish, to mitigate fetal risks.
