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28 July 2004

 
 LEAD CONTAMINATION OF CORNFLOUR

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) informed Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on 26 July 2004 that they had found unusually high levels of lead in cornflour that had been imported from China and that 20 tonnes of this product was then re-exported to Australia.

FSANZ immediately moved to liaise with state and territory authorities to investigate if this product had entered the food supply in Australia.

As a result, a voluntary consumer level recall of Goodman Fielder’s White Wings Cornflour occurred on 27 July 2004.

The NZFSA has also conducted a recall in New Zealand of affected products.

Although lead is not a desirable component   in the diet, in this particular case, consumers should not be unduly concerned if they or their families have consumed this conflour product.

Lead can cause health problems if consumed at high levels over an extended period of time, however, in this case, the contamination was found in a single consignment of cornflour only.

The levels found, although higher than normal, were still within the levels that could be safety consumed over a short period, especially as we only consume small levels of cornflour, for example, as a thickener in a sauce.

Even those who consume higher amount of cornflour, for example, people suffering from coeliac disease, should not be concerned.

FSANZ is continuing to work with state and territory authorities to examine whether the contaminated cornflour has been used iin other products and, if so, those products would also be recalled.

This situation shows that the food regulatory system in Australia and New Zealand works well with inter-agency co-operation ensuring the safety of consumers.