Australian consumers anxiously called supermarket stores earlier this week after a current affairs television programme claimed that imported honey and prawns were contaminated with carcinogenic antibiotics.


Seven Network’s Today Tonight claimed that imported honey and prawns contained unsafe residue levels of the cancer-causing antibiotic nitrofuran, reported the Australian Associated Press.


Spokespersons for supermarket retailers Coles Myer and Woolworths said that many consumers had called because they were concerned about what they had seen on the programme and wanted to know if the information was accurate.


However, Dr Bob Boyd, chief medical adviser for food safety regulator FSANZ, said tests showed that the levels of nitrofurans in honey and prawns were so low that at least 400,000 times the amount found could be eaten safely.


He added that there was no scientific evidence to support the television show’s claims and that neither consumers nor retailers need take further action.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.