18 November 2004
Australian consumers are advised to avoid hijiki seaweed
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today urged people to avoid eating a type of seaweed called hijiki, which may contain high levels of naturally occurring arsenic.
This advice does not apply to other varieties of edible seaweed, such as arame, nori, kombu and wakame.
FSANZ, together with State and Territory health departments and food regulators, is asking suppliers and retailers – including restaurants – to voluntarily withdraw hijiki seaweed from the marketplace. If they fail to comply, they could face strict penalties.
Hijiki is an uncommon seaweed variety that is not harvested in Australia or New Zealand and grows in the seas mainly off Japan and Korea.
It is almost black and comes in a shredded form and is used mostly as an appetiser or starter in some Japanese restaurants.
Dried hijiki seaweed is also sold for addition to soups, salads and other dishes, but it is not the seaweed used to wrap sushi or to make rice crackers.
Even though the level of naturally occurring arsenic found in hijiki is above regulatory limits, it is unlikely that past consumption of small amounts daily or occasional larger portions would have caused harm.
FSANZ’s safety analysis shows that occasional or light consumption of hijiki seaweed is not a problem.
Regulatory agencies are taking action because the level of arsenic in this seaweed is well above the regulatory limits set in the Food Standards Code for seaweed. This being so, hijiki seaweed is a “non-complying” food and it must be removed from the food supply.
It should not be supplied or sold.
Border inspection regimes in Australia and New Zealand have been tightened to target all consignments of hijiki seaweed.
Australian consumers wishing to continue eating hijiki seaweed for cultural reasons will need to pursue the option of “personal imports”.
Australia’s food safety laws allow people to import food for their own personal use, however, limits do apply. Further information on quarantine and food safety requirements for private importations can be found on the website of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) www.aqis.gov.au or by emailing foodimp@aqis.gov.au or by phoning 02 6272 4934.
Media contact: Lydia Buchtmann 02 6271 2620 or 0401 714 265