The Hong Kong Consumer Council has released findings from a test of 27 dried goji berry products, revealing that every sample contained heavy metals and nearly 70 percent harbored pesticide residues. The study, conducted between August and September 2022, collected samples from supermarkets, pharmacies, and food retailers, with prices ranging from HK$5 to HK$146 per package. Among the 23 pre-packaged and four loose items tested, three were labeled “ready-to-eat” and seven as “organic.” The results have prompted calls for stricter monitoring and consumer awareness.
Heavy Metals Found in Every Sample
All 27 samples tested positive for at least one heavy metal. Lead was detected in 21 samples, with levels from 0.018 to 0.29 mg per kg. Two products — “尚品即食寧夏杞子” and “御品皇杞子” — recorded lead concentrations of 0.284 mg/kg and 0.29 mg/kg respectively, approaching the legal limit set by Hong Kong’s Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations. The cases have been referred to the Centre for Food Safety. Chronic lead exposure can impair children’s neurological development and affect adult blood pressure, the council warned.
Cadmium appeared in every sample, ranging from 0.02 to 0.09 mg/kg. Arsenic was found in two brands — “南北行特級貢杞皇” and “價真棧寧夏杞子” — each at 0.04 mg/kg. Three samples (“價真棧寧夏杞子”, “紹香園即食杞子”, and “利康中西藥房特級杞子”) contained chromium at 0.20 to 0.27 mg/kg. All heavy metal levels complied with current legal standards, but the council emphasized that any detectable amount of toxic metals is undesirable.
Pesticide Residues Detected
Nineteen out of 27 samples (70 percent) contained pesticide residues, with 14 different chemicals identified. Two products exceeded the maximum residue limits set by the European Food Safety Authority: “FRESH 杞子” had 0.062 mg/kg of chlorfenapyr, and “紹香園即食杞子” had 0.071 mg/kg of chlorothalonil. However, both remained below Hong Kong’s regulatory limits for fruiting vegetables.
The council noted that one brand, “哈特 Hart杞子”, contained seven pesticides, while three others (“東方紅貢果皇”, “華潤堂寧夏枸杞子”, and “FRESH 杞子”) had five each. Twelve samples showed three or four types. Experts warn that multiple pesticide residues can produce a “cocktail effect”, where combined chemicals amplify health risks even at low individual levels.
Despite these concerns, the risk from a single serving is low. According to FAO/WHO data, a 60 kg adult would need to consume over 29 kg of “FRESH 杞子” or 17 kg of “紹香園即食杞子” daily to reach the acceptable daily intake for the detected pesticides.
Top-Rated Products
Five samples earned a 4.5-star overall rating from the council:
- 位元堂寧夏杞子(有機原料) — HK$29.3 per 100g
- Sunfood Super Foods — HK$64.3 per 100g
- 點點綠 有機頂級杞子 — HK$45 per 100g
- Livi Green 有機即食杞子 — HK$40.8 per 100g
- Slowood 有機杞子 — HK$54 per 100g
No samples contained prohibited synthetic colors or mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins or ochratoxin), a positive finding for consumers.
What Consumers Should Do
The council advises shoppers to rinse dried goji berries thoroughly before eating, even if labeled “ready-to-eat,” and to choose organic or low-pesticide options when possible. Diversifying the sources of superfoods can reduce long-term exposure to any single contaminant. Regulators may consider updating pesticide and heavy metal limits to better reflect cumulative risks, especially for frequently consumed items.
As goji berries remain a popular ingredient in soups, teas, and snacks, this study underscores the importance of ongoing food safety surveillance — and the need for consumers to stay informed.