Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
April 29, 2012 (Uho Health News Reporter Tan Yongyong / Interview Report)
Thanks to the free hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) rapid test kits distributed by the New Taipei City Health Bureau, five citizens reported food items that tested positive. Three of these were confirmed to contain residues—two cases of dried tofu and one case of wheat gluten. One sample tested negative, while another was purchased in Taipei City and has been referred to the Taipei City Health Bureau for investigation.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly known as H₂O₂, is prohibited in food products as excessive consumption can harm health. In late March, the New Taipei City Health Bureau prepared 3,000 rapid test kits, available for free at health centers across its 29 districts, allowing residents to conduct simple screenings at home. The bureau also called on the public to help safeguard food safety.
This initiative proved effective. Among the five food items reported by citizens who detected positive results at home, three were confirmed by the bureau to violate standards. These included two cases of dried tofu sold at a stall on Quanxing Road in Taishan District, which were traced back to a supplier in Taipei City and referred to the Taipei City Health Bureau for follow-up. Another case involved wheat gluten sold at a stall on Futai Street in Taishan District, sourced from a manufacturer in Nantou County, which was referred to the Nantou County Health Bureau. A fourth case, involving wheat gluten sold at a stall in Taipei’s Muzha Market, was handed over to the Taipei City Health Bureau.
The New Taipei City Health Bureau explained that hydrogen peroxide is often illegally used by unscrupulous vendors in processed fish products (such as fish balls, fish cakes, tempura, and squid balls) and bean-based products (such as tofu, dried tofu, shredded tofu, and wheat gluten) for its sterilizing and bleaching effects, enhancing visual appeal and extending shelf life. However, excessive consumption can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal irritation, making its presence in food illegal.
Lin Guan-zhen, head of the Food and Drug Administration Division, advised the public to contact local health centers to check for remaining free test kits. To use them, simply cut the purchased food and apply one or two drops of the reagent to the cut surface. If a pale yellow or brown color appears within about five seconds, it may indicate hydrogen peroxide residue, and the case should be reported to the health bureau for further verification. She also urged consumers to purchase from reputable suppliers and remain vigilant against unusually white or unnaturally colored food products.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……C% 96% E6% B0% AB- 053000062. html;_ylt=AmryMfIIE_VUwOGWn893lc7fBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTNybmVqZmVhBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBIZWFsdGhTRgRwa2cDYWE5M2FkMTMtNjVjNS0zNzBjLTkzMmMtZDZiZWMyOTlkZTVlBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN0b3Bfc3RvcnkEdmVyAzcxMjlhN2EwLTkxYmMtMTFlMS04MmY5LTE4MTUzZjlkM2JlYw--;_ylg=X3oDMTF2cGJyc2o1BGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6twRwdANzZWN0aW9ucwR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3
Public Self-Tests Find 3 Food Items with Hydrogen Peroxide
Thanks to the free hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) rapid test kits distributed by the New Taipei City Health Bureau, five citizens reported food items that tested positive. Three of these were confirmed to contain residues—two cases of dried tofu and one case of wheat gluten. One sample tested negative, while another was purchased in Taipei City and has been referred to the Taipei City Health Bureau for investigation.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly known as H₂O₂, is prohibited in food products as excessive consumption can harm health. In late March, the New Taipei City Health Bureau prepared 3,000 rapid test kits, available for free at health centers across its 29 districts, allowing residents to conduct simple screenings at home. The bureau also called on the public to help safeguard food safety.
This initiative proved effective. Among the five food items reported by citizens who detected positive results at home, three were confirmed by the bureau to violate standards. These included two cases of dried tofu sold at a stall on Quanxing Road in Taishan District, which were traced back to a supplier in Taipei City and referred to the Taipei City Health Bureau for follow-up. Another case involved wheat gluten sold at a stall on Futai Street in Taishan District, sourced from a manufacturer in Nantou County, which was referred to the Nantou County Health Bureau. A fourth case, involving wheat gluten sold at a stall in Taipei’s Muzha Market, was handed over to the Taipei City Health Bureau.
The New Taipei City Health Bureau explained that hydrogen peroxide is often illegally used by unscrupulous vendors in processed fish products (such as fish balls, fish cakes, tempura, and squid balls) and bean-based products (such as tofu, dried tofu, shredded tofu, and wheat gluten) for its sterilizing and bleaching effects, enhancing visual appeal and extending shelf life. However, excessive consumption can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal irritation, making its presence in food illegal.
Lin Guan-zhen, head of the Food and Drug Administration Division, advised the public to contact local health centers to check for remaining free test kits. To use them, simply cut the purchased food and apply one or two drops of the reagent to the cut surface. If a pale yellow or brown color appears within about five seconds, it may indicate hydrogen peroxide residue, and the case should be reported to the health bureau for further verification. She also urged consumers to purchase from reputable suppliers and remain vigilant against unusually white or unnaturally colored food products.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……C% 96% E6% B0% AB- 053000062. html;_ylt=AmryMfIIE_VUwOGWn893lc7fBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTNybmVqZmVhBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBIZWFsdGhTRgRwa2cDYWE5M2FkMTMtNjVjNS0zNzBjLTkzMmMtZDZiZWMyOTlkZTVlBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN0b3Bfc3RvcnkEdmVyAzcxMjlhN2EwLTkxYmMtMTFlMS04MmY5LTE4MTUzZjlkM2JlYw--;_ylg=X3oDMTF2cGJyc2o1BGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6twRwdANzZWN0aW9ucwR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3