Squid snacks carry poison risk

2007-04-16 18:13

Hong Kong - Popular dried squid snacks sold in Hong Kong may carry the risk of arsenic poisoning, test results released on Monday concluded.

More than one in three samples tested by the Hong Kong consumer council contained levels of arsenic above the legally permitted maximum, putting customers at potential risk of skin diseases and liver damage.

The watchdog said the results meant anyone eating three or more 90g packets of the dried squid with illegally high arsenic levels could be putting their health in jeopardy.

Dried squid, pork and beef are hugely popular snacks sold in most convenience stores and supermarkets in Hong Kong, a city of 6.9 million.

The maximum permitted level for arsenic in squid is 10mg per kilogram but in eight of 23 samples tested, the level was between 12.7mg and 35.3mg per kilogram, said the council.

Samples of dried beef, dried pork and pork floss were also found to contain benzoic acid and sorbic acid but the council said there were no legal limits on the two acids.

A spokesperson for the council said at a briefing on Monday morning that anyone eating one of the suspect dried squid brands regularly "could be running a risk of arsenic poisoning".

"Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic compounds is associated with skin lesions, hyperkeratosis and chronic pathological liver changes," he said. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA