Recently, many followers have been "clapping their bowls" (requesting) for me to address the news regarding a famous seaweed brand found to have exceeded heavy metal limits in Taiwan. As a staple snack in many households, seaweed is often a top choice for moms. So, is it still safe to eat?

Direct conclusion: Based on the data currently available, it is still safe for babies to consume. The current test results do not indicate an immediate danger under normal consumption levels. We can remain rational and wait for the manufacturer’s final official response.

However, rather than panicking, we should take this opportunity to understand the science: Why does the same product have a different "status" in different countries?

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1. The "Life Story" of Heavy Metal Content

Heavy metals in seaweed don't appear out of thin air. Their levels depend on several key factors:

• Growth Environment (Water and Geology): Seaweed grows in the ocean, and seawater is constantly flowing. Environmental factors aren't always caused by human activity. For example, natural mineral deposits upstream or heavy metals released from the earth’s crust due to earthquakes can affect the metal content of a specific sea area. Seaweed acts like a "biological sponge," absorbing these substances.

• Processing and Composition: The higher the actual seaweed content, the more concentrated the heavy metal readings might be. Conversely, some snacks with more seasonings, starch, or fillers might show lower concentration values during testing. This doesn't mean seasoned snacks are "healthier"—it’s simply a result of dilution.

• Testing Methodologies: Testing a "dry product" versus a "rehydrated" sample (after adding water) will yield different results. Variations in lab pretreatment processes can also lead to significant differences in final data.

2. The Regulatory "Numbers Game": Exceeding Limits $\neq$ Poisonous

Many people see the words "exceeded limits" and immediately think of "poisoning." This is a common misconception. Heavy metal standards vary significantly across countries.

Let’s look at an example:

Suppose the maximum limit for Lead (Pb) in Malaysia is 0.05 mg/kg, while Taiwan’s standard is stricter at 0.01 mg/kg. If a product is tested and shows a result of 0.02 mg/kg:

• In Malaysia, it is a perfectly compliant and legal product.

• In Taiwan, it is classified as "exceeding the limit" and non-compliant.

This doesn't mean the product suddenly became toxic; it simply means the regulatory "threshold" differs. Regulations are usually established based on local dietary habits and exposure risk assessments.

3. Chronic Exposure vs. Occasional Consumption

Heavy metals are not like acute pesticides; they do not typically cause symptoms after a single bite. The danger lies in long-term, high-dose, and continuous exposure. For families who occasionally give their babies a few pieces of seaweed, the total intake remains within the body's metabolic capacity or safe limits. There is no need for excessive anxiety.

4. The Ignored Truth: We Should Care More About the Environment

While researching heavy metal exposure in Malaysian water and food, I noticed a regrettable trend: our local data is quite incomplete. Most studies are localized to specific spots (e.g., a certain river or a specific fishing port), resulting in "fragmented" data.

More interestingly, whenever experts point out environmental issues—such as industrial expansion causing river or sea pollution—often "Nobody Cares." People are quick to scrutinize a bag of crackers on a shelf, but few stop to ask: Why are these heavy metals in our soil and sea to begin with? If the source is contaminated, anything grown in the soil or swimming in the sea will inevitably be affected.

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Summary & Advice

1. Stay Rational: This seaweed controversy is largely due to differences in regulatory thresholds between regions. There is no need to rush to throw away your existing stock.

2. Diversify the Diet: The best way to prevent heavy metal accumulation is to "spread the risk." Avoid consuming large quantities of the same ultra-processed food over a long period.

3. Watch the Source: Protecting our environment is, in essence, protecting our children’s snack bags.

Finally, I’d like to ask: When buying snacks for your baby, besides heavy metals, what other ingredients on the label do you pay attention to?

references: A review on the accumulation of heavy metals in coastal sediment of Peninsular Malaysia: https://www.emerald.com/efcc/article/1/1/21/41724/A-review-on-the-accumulation-of-heavy-metals-in