Manama, Sep 16 (Gulf Daily News): Dried seaweed, found to be polluted with deadly arsenic, has been withdrawn from Bahrain's supermarket shelves.

And families who may have bought it are being warned not to eat it.

Japanese-made Hizikia Fusiforme, a brown seaweed vegetable, is suspected of containing inorganic arsenic that exceeded tolerable daily intake levels and statutory limits, said the Health Ministry.

A Saudi-based EU delegate alerted the ministry's food control department, which co-ordinated with Industry and Commerce Ministry's consumer protection directorate.

The dried sea vegetable bears the trademark "Clear Spring Japanese Hisiki" with a code number 80225.

Packed in blue plastic bags, the 50gm food items were produced on July 22, 2009 and are due to expire on July 12, 2012.

Dubious products which may be similar to Hizikia Fusiforme can be reported on a hotline 39427743.

Inorganic arsenic is suspected of causing cancer in humans and exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic can lead to gastrointestinal problems, anemia and liver damage.

Food controllers have also seized quantities stocked by accredited dealers and distributors to prevent any sales in the local market. "Lab tests conducted on samples of the product confirmed the high level of arsenic," the ministry said.

Similar Japanese-made seaweed products are also being tested at the ministry lab to determine whether they are safe for human consumption.