Multiple Tokyo Foods hijiki seaweed products are being recalled due to elevated levels of arsenic.
All batches and dates of the following products are being recalled:
- Wako Shokai brand Dried Seaweed (Kome Hijiki) 30g
- Wako Shokai brand Roasted Seaweed (Hijiki) 25g
- Yamanaka Foods brand Dried Seaweed (Mekabu) 15g
- Ichbiki brand Hijiki Seaweed / Seasoned Vegetable 70g
NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the products contain hijiki, a type of seaweed “which is known to naturally have heightened levels of inorganic arsenic”.
“The concern with these products is that they could have inorganic arsenic at levels that could make you sick.”
Hijiki seaweed is not used in sushi products, or as a seaweed wrap, he said.
“It is usually sold in a dried, shredded form and is rehydrated and cooked before eating.”
Arbuckle said the products “should not be eaten”.
“Return them to where you bought them for a refund or throw them out.”
The products have been imported and have not been re-exported.
High exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea within an hour of ingestion, the Ministry for Primary Industries said on its website.
NZFS has not received any notifications of associated illness.
“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with importer Tokyo Foods to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Arbuckle said.
People who have consumed any of these products and are concerned for their health can contact their health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
