College Bans EDB-Tainted Hot Cereal

A breakfast cereal served in all Harvard during halls will no longer be offered to students because of a report that it exceeds the state-regulated level of ethylene dibromide (EDB), a cancer causing chemical, University officials said yesterday.

Maltex, a hot cereal which has been offered at the University for more than 20 years, was banned this week by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health after the department's scientists discovered EDB levels far in excess of state limits.

As a result of recent legislation, Massachusetts allows food products to contain no more EDB than one part per billion.

The sample of the cereal contained 2000 parts EDB per billion--the highest level of the chemical found in any product tested by the department, according to the statement released this week.

EDB has caused liver cancer in laboratory rats, but only in large amounts. Its real effects on humans have yet to be tested.

Nevertheless, the state has banned more than 18 products containing the chemical, in cluding Duncan Hines spice cake mix and Quaker Oats corn muffin mix.

David E. Schotz, a spokesman for the department, said that the state placed the strict ban on products containing EDB because it "doesn't want any avoidable exposure to a carcinogen on the market."

Little Risk

University Food Service officials, how ever, feel that there is little risk to students who consume the cereal, which is a maximum of twice a week at Harvard.

"I don't believe that there are any cases where EDB has caused damage to human beings," said Benjamin H. Walcott, assistant director of University Food Service.