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!
Hi Kirk,
How interesting. I used to eat a lot of hijiki, but have slacked off in recent years. I won’t let any articles stop me from eating food that I’ve enjoyed since I was a child.
BTW…did you hear the one about tofu and Alzheimer’s in Japanese men? *sheesh*
Nowadays, I think that studies can show that eating too much of anything may jeopardize your health. It is depressing to read that stuff on cnn.com sometimes.
However, after looking at your delicious bento box, I feel like eating hijiki could only make me live longer and want to eat more! Dang, how did you learn how to cook eggs so perfect like that?
Hi Reid – I agree. :o)
Hi Passionate Eater – Thanks for the compliment; but I really don’t think it’s perfect – but I’ve been amking this for most of my life, so I guess I’ve got alot of practice…..
Hey, Kirk–
Actually, it is very depressing the amount of heavy metal pollution we have in our oceans, groundwater and soil, all over the world. Large predatory fish sauce as salmon and tuna have concentrations of mercury that are not healthy in them–hijiki with arsenic does not surprise me.
“Having Faith” is a book written by a scientist about her pregnancy and her experience in researching all she could about environmental effects on pregnant women, fetuses and nursing babies is both fascinating and sad.
The amount of heavy metals and other toxins in the milk of nursing mothers is growing–with unknown effects on the babies of the world.
Sad–but true.
Hi Barbara – I’ll try to get ahold of the book. It is very sad….
Hi Kirk,
You’re welcome regarding the links, I didn’t realise they were worth publicising in your blog 🙂 I’ve always been keen to try new food, especially hijiki until I read the consumer warnings -such a spirit dampener! However like you say, eating a little bit now and then shouldn’t be detrimental to our health. Next time I spot this seaweed on the menu, I certainly will give it a go. Life is too short not to enjoy our food!
Sad but rectifiable! We as a planet need to “mature” our understanding of what we are supposed to do to survive WITH our earth. We are foolish in the extreme to consider for even a moment that the earth is something we can mold to our own personal desires. America’s caucasion evolution (I’m a prime example here so I’m not bad mouthing anyone without standing at the front of the responsibility line) has put it at the top of the heap of fools. That said, support sustainable agriculture! Come to my house in NC and drink homemade muscadine wine and homemade sheep milk cheese!!! ;o)
Hi Anna – Thanks for commenting – I really, really, appreciate any input, and treasure comments. And I personally thought that the links you provided were very informative(they are from reputable sources), and we’re all Adults and make our choices, but need to have as much info as possible in making those choices. I hope that you don’t mind, because I believed the links were “food for thought” – I truly appreciated it! Thanks again, and please keep commenting, ok?
Hi Jo – Just so long that I won’t need to milk a cow!
hmmm… ::grins and cocks her head:: How do you suppose I would turn cow’s milk into sheep milk cheese Kirk? ::giggling:: Don’t worry, I’ll put you to work chasing the ducks up and down the tree alleys! Just think, this time next year, we may be doing our own hand raised birdie!