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.