July 29, 2010

Chinese meat contaminated with mercury

China's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has confirmed that a certain batch of "Greatwall Brand Chopped Pork and Ham" is contaminated with liquid mercury; the total weight is 0.4 gramme.

The distributing agent has imported 1,000 cartons (48,000 cans) of the concerned batch of products. The CFS has collected another 13 samples of the same product of different batches from the local market. Preliminary examination did not reveal mercury droplets. Detailed test results are pending.

As a precautionary measure, the distributing agent has agreed to immediately recall the concerned batch of luncheon meat.

The CFS has informed the relevant Mainland authority of the finding. The incident is still under investigation, and will closely monitor the situation with appropriate follow up actions.