Excessive Cadmium Found in Rice - CHOICE # 446

Excessive levels of the harmful heavy metal cadmium have been detected in three samples of rice on sale in the Hong Kong market.

This was uncovered in the finding of a recent Consumer Council test on 44 samples of rice - 34 white rice and 10 brown rice - sourced from the market between April and September this year.

This is also the first confirmation with brand name information, as reported in the Council's test, that rice contaminated with excessive cadmium is on sale to consumers here.

The presence of excessive cadmium in the local main food staple, rice, is rightly worrisome to the overwhelming majority of the community as rice is consumed virtually in every meal on a daily basis.

Under the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations of Hong Kong, the cadmium content of rice should not exceed the legal limit of 0.1 mg/kg.

One of the 3 samples in question was found to have a cadmium concentration of 0.223 mg/kg, more than double the legal limit.

The other 2 samples were found to marginally exceed the limit, with a cadmium content of 0.143 mg/kg and 0.149 mg/kg respectively.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), inhalation of air polluted with cadmium and cadmium compounds due to occupational exposure is considered "carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to human".

However, available evidence suggests that cadmium does not appear to have significant genotoxic and carcinogenic potential via the oral route.

Nevertheless, health experts warn that while acute toxicity of cadmium due to dietary exposure is very unlikely, prolonged intake of cadmium may have adverse effects on kidney.

The Centre for Food Safety has been informed of the Council's test findings on the cadmium content of the rice samples.

In the test, the Council has also examined the contents of other heavy metals in rice: chromium, lead, mercury, inorganic arsenic, and the contaminant benzo[a]pyrene.

Consumers can set their heart at ease. The results showed none of the rice samples were contaminated with benzo[a]pyrene, and the heavy metals (other than cadmium) present in the samples were also within safety limits.

As a matter of healthy dietary practice, consumers are reminded of the importance of taking balanced diet to avoid excessive exposure to certain chemicals or contaminants from a small range of food items. Complementing rice with other cereals, noodles, oatmeal and bread as part of the diet is an option worth consideration.

Vietnamese Fragrant vs Thai Fragrant

When it comes to purchasing this primary staple food for local households, Hong Kong consumers are wisely price-conscious.

This is evidenced in the upsurge, over the past 5 years, in the market share of rice imported from Vietnam, rising phenomenally from a mere 0.5% in 2008 to 41.5% in October this year on the strength of its competitive pricing.

It has gradually edged out rice imported from Thailand as the predominant choice of Hong Kong consumers. Thai rice had a market share of 88% in 2008, but has since dropped to 44.6% this October.

In a study on rice prices based on price data from the Trade and Industry Department between 2003 and October 2013, the Council has looked at the import and retail price trends of 4 types of rice in the market, namely, Thai Fragrant, Chinese See Mew, Australian Inga as well as Vietnamese Fragrant (its breakdown data available only since 2011).

In the case of Thai, Chinese and Australian rice, their average import prices went up by 162.8%, 137.5% and 110.5% respectively in a decade over the past 10 years.

In parallel, their average retail prices were up at a more moderate level from 79.8% to 88.3% - still comparatively higher than the Composite Consumer Price Index for Rice (a group under the Index for Food) which rose 63.7% on average during the same period.

Adjustments in the upwards price movement could be observed when taking into account the data of Vietnamese Fragrant rice from 2011 onwards.

Between 2011 and January to October this year, while the average import prices of Thai Fragrant and Chinese Sew Mew rose by 14.3% and 15.2% respectively, those of Australian Inga and Vietnamese Fragrant came down by 10.3% and 5.2% respectively.

At the retail level, during the same period, the study showed average price increases of 10.0% (Thai Fragrant), 5.3% (Chinese See Mew) and 7.9% (Australian Inga). The Vietnamese Fragrant was the only rice that reversed the trend with a decrease of 6.2%.

In the study, the Council noted that the source of rice supply to Hong Kong has become more diversified since the liberalization of rice trade in 2003.

Despite decrease in the average consumption of rice in Hong Kong, fluctuations in rice prices will aggravate the inflationary pressure on the livelihood of the general public.

Rice traders are encouraged to continue exploring other rice importing sources with competitive prices to lessen over reliance of rice supply from limited sources and provide more choices to consumers.