The phytosanitary inspection of Republika Srpska (RS), one of the entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), has forbidden imports of 3,000 kilograms of sunflower seeds in shell from Serbia on Wednesday due to the increased presence of cadmium.
During the contingent inspection, the competent inspector carried out laboratory analysis to test the remains of heavy metals, a statement of the entity inspection stated on Wednesday.
According to laboratory analysis, an increased cadmium presence was found in the analyzed sample, above the values prescribed by the Regulation on maximum permissible quantities for contaminants in food.
At the request of importers, a new analysis was done in Serbia, which confirmed the results of the first analysis and which found cadmium in the value of 0.581 miligrams per kilogram, and whose value is above the prescribed value of 0.1 miligram per kilogram.
The inspector banned the import of disputed contingents and ordered returning or destruction under the supervision of the competent inspector.
Cadmium poisoning has been reported from many parts of the world and it is one of the global health problems that affect many organs and in some cases it can cause deaths. Long-term exposure to cadmium through air, water, soil, and food leads to cancer and organ system toxicity, Xinhua reports.
