28/07/2004

FSA warning over eatable seaweed linked to cancer

Oriental restaurants across Northern Ireland have been warned against using a type of seaweed - which is a popular ingredient in soups, salads and vegetarian dishes - over fears that it increases the risk of cancer.

A Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey showed that Hijiki, a variety of seaweed harvested from the seas off Japan and Korea, contained high levels of a form of arsenic. International experts say that the intake of this type of naturally occurring arsenic (inorganic arsenic) in food should be reduced so that it is as low as is practical.

The FSA said it would be raising the possibility of action over the sale of the seaweed with the European Commission.

Hijiki can sometimes be found in the specialist food sections of some supermarkets and department stores, and also in health food shops and retail outlets selling products from Asia and the Far East.

(MB)

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