AN ALERT from the United States last week prompted the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) to test 18 dried fruit products sold here for lead, the agency said yesterday.

The AVA found that all the products mentioned in the US alert, made by 16 companies, were sold here, and immediately took samples for testing.

It is awaiting the results, which are expected to be ready soon.

Consuming too much lead can cause learning disorders in children and kidney failure in adults.

Last Thursday, the Texas Department of State Health Services warned consumers against eating several dried fruit products - mainly dried plums and prunes sold in Asian and Hispanic markets - after it found high lead levels in them.

It said that it was working with Texas distributors on product recalls, and investigating the matter with the United States Food and Drug Administration and other health agencies.

Yesterday, Malaysia's Health Ministry also issued a statement to say that it was conducting tests to check the lead content of the products before allowing them to be released into the market.

kennyc@sph.com.sg

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