A quick note about Hijiki. A regular reader, sent me some links regarding levels of Inorganic Arsenic in Hijiki which I used in one of my Nimono Dishes. So I just wanted to pass them on to you all:
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/jul/hijiki
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/foodfacts/arsenice.shtml
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/food-safety-topics/chemicals-in-food/hijiki-arsenic/
And a few more:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20040731f1.htm
http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v18je17.htm
This interesting post lists the Brands tested by the Food Standards Agency in the UK; it also reveals that the FSA did not take into consideration the rinsing and cooking:
http://www.simoncox.com/mt3/2005/11/itsu_bean_and_hijiki_lunch_roll.php
As with all info of this type I think the same New Zealand FSA article linked above had the following:
"Does this put my health at risk?
Exposure to low levels of organic or inorganic arsenic is not a health concern. Organic arsenic is commonly found in seaweed and other marine foods but has not been linked to any human illnesses.
Inorganic arsenic, formed from the combination of arsenic with oxygen, chlorine or sulphur, is more toxic and is known to add to the risk of people getting cancer if it is regularly consumed.
However it is not usually found at high levels in food. Hijiki does contain high levels of inorganic arsenic."
And the New Zealand FSA sent out this additional press release that states:
"the New Zealand Food Safety Authority says that it is very unlikely that anyone consumes enough each day to be at any risk."
http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/fsnet/2004/10-2004/fsnet_oct_21.htm#story1
I really don’t eat alot of this; so this won’t stop me from eating the little bit of Hijiki in my Onigiri, or with my bentos. In addition, many people I’ve known have been eating Hijiki their entire lives, and have not suffered any negative effects. But I thought that some sort of full disclosure is necessary. Call it "food for thought".
Thanks for the links Anna!
