Published:  14:02 Tuesday - November 27, 2012

Vietnamese food safety officials have found insecticide residue in dried fish and squid sold by a northern commune that is a major seafood hub in the region.

Samples from Hai Binh commune in Thanh Hoa Province's Tinh Gia District tested positive for bifenthrin, an organic compound from the flowers of pyrethrums that can cause headache, vomiting, arthritis, and even cancer and genetic damage.

Tests by the National Institute for Food Control found the insecticide content in dried squid to be 1.04 mg/kg and 0.054 mg/kg in dried scad.

An institute official said while there are no guidelines for permitted limits of the toxin in dried foods, in fresh foods like meat, animal fat and organs, eggs, milk, potatoes, and fresh fruits, it should not exceed 0.05 mg/kg.

The US Environmental Protection Agency classifies bifenthrin as a class C carcinogen, a possible human carcinogen.

Source: Thanhniennews