Stop eating dried cuttlefish!

GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Consumers must refrain from eating dried
cuttlefish as tests by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) revealed
that it is contaminated with a highly toxic metal known as cadmium.
CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said random tests conducted on 
cuttlefish
samples found that the level of cadmium exceeded the safety standard.


"The amount of cadmium detected in the samples tested ranged from 0.33 to
4.33 parts per million (ppm) when the Food Regulations 1985 states that it
should not exceed 1.00 ppm. 

"This is not the first time high levels of cadmium is detected in dried
seafood. In 2004 and 2006, out of nine dried cuttlefish and seafood 
samples,
six were found to contain cadmium above the safety standard.

"Cadmium is used in galvanising and electroplating batteries, the
manufacture of alloys, pigments and plastics, and in the stabilisation ofphosphate fertilisers.

"It is also a prevalent environmental contaminant due to its release from metal smelters," he told a press conference at the CAP's office here yesterday. 

Mohamed Idris added that it had been suggested that exposure to cadmium could result in an increased rate of breast and prostate cancers.

"CAP calls upon the Health Ministry to test all types of dried cuttlefish for cadmium content and ensure that those which contravened regulations  are not sold."