A group of Sri Lankan scientists attached to the Ministry of Agriculture has discovered Cadmium in imported white sugar.

Cadmium has caused kidney disease in the North Central Province and several other areas in the island.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said these scientists have started further tests to check whether such poisonous components are tainted in other imported foodstuff including dhal.

Sri Lankans consume about 1600 metric tons of sugar per day and 91 percent of the stock is white sugar.

Sri Lanka imports 550,000 metric tons of white sugar annually from Singapore, Brazil and countries of Central America.

Lecturer of Rajarata University Dr.Channa Jayasumana who investigated the cause to kidney disease said that Cadmium could cause kidney disease as well as cancer in human body.

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Meanwhile the Health Ministry has informed the Powdered Milk Importing companies that they should submit internationally accepted laboratory certifications to ensure such imports are free of dycynamide.