Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
Consumer Foundation / Release Date: 2010.06.09
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, meat-filled zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) become an indispensable delicacy. Among the fillings, bean products such as dried tofu and tofu cubes are often seen. But are these bean products truly safe?
In response, the Consumer Foundation has long conducted tests on preservatives and sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide) in bean products, demanding that manufacturers refrain from adding excessive preservatives, avoid using illegal preservatives, and ensure no residual sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide). In early May this year, the foundation once again sampled 32 bean products from markets and hypermarkets to test for preservatives and sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide). The results revealed that 8 out of the 32 samples (25%) contained excessive preservatives or residual hydrogen peroxide!
**Survey Samples**
**Dried Tofu Strips:**
1. "Dried Tofu Strips – Muzha Market"
2. "Dried Tofu Strips – Shuiyuan Market"
3. "Dried Tofu Strips – Banqiao City, Ziyou Road"
4. "Taishan Five-Spice Dried Tofu Strips – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
5. "Dried Tofu Strips – Changchun Market"
6. "Dried Tofu Strips – Nanmen Market"
**Fried Tofu:**
7. "Fried Tofu – Changchun Market"
8. "Fried Tofu – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
9. "Fried Tofu – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
10. "Triangular Fried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
11. "Fried Tofu – Kaiyuan Street"
12. "Fried Tofu – Nanmen Market"
13. "Xinli Fried Tofu – RT-Mart Jingping Branch"
**Vegetarian Chicken (Tofu Product):**
14. "Vegetarian Chicken – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
15. "Vegetarian Chicken – Changchun Market"
16. "Vegetarian Chicken – Muzha Market"
17. "Vegetarian Chicken – Jingmei Street"
18. "Vegetarian Chicken – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
**Dried Tofu:**
19. "Dried Tofu – Shuiyuan Market"
20. "Dried Tofu – Kaiyuan Street"
21. "Dried Tofu – Changchun Market"
22. "DC-Dried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
23. "Xinli Dried Tofu – RT-Mart (Jingping Branch)"
24. "Dried Tofu – Jingmei Street"
25. "Dried Tofu – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
26. "Dried Tofu – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
**Tofu Skin:**
27. "Fresh Tofu Skin – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
28. "Tofu Skin – Changchun Market"
29. "Tofu Skin – Muzha Market"
30. "Tofu Skin – Jingmei Street"
31. "Tofu Skin – Banqiao City, Ziyou Road"
32. "Tofu Skin – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
**Test Results**
1. **One Sample Exceeded the Legal Limit for Benzoic Acid**
According to the "Standards for the Use, Limits, and Specifications of Food Additives," benzoic acid is permitted in mullet roe, dried seafood, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, pickled vegetables, tofu skin, and dried tofu, with a maximum limit of 0.6 g/kg (as Benzoic Acid). Although most benzoic acid is excreted through urine after ingestion, detoxification occurs in the liver, making it unsuitable for individuals with poor liver function.
The survey found that one sample exceeded the benzoic acid limit: Sample No. 1, "Dried Tofu Strips – Muzha Market," with a detected level between 0.6 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg.2. Four samples of fried tofu were found to illegally contain benzoic acid (accounting for 57% of the fried tofu samples).
According to the "Standards for the Use, Scope, and Limits of Food Additives," benzoic acid is permitted in products such as fish paste, meat products, sea urchin, caviar, peanut butter, cheese, candied fruits, dehydrated fruits, dried radish with a moisture content of 25% or higher, cooked beans, miso, seaweed paste, fermented bean curd, pastries, soy sauce, jam, juice, cheese, butter, margarine, tomato sauce, chili sauce, concentrated fruit syrup, flavored syrup, and other condiments. It is also allowed in dried mullet roe, dried seafood, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, pickled vegetables, dried tofu sheets, and preserved vegetables. However, benzoic acid is **not permitted** in fried tofu.
In this investigation, out of seven fried tofu samples tested, four were found to contain benzoic acid:
- Sample No. 7: "Fried Tofu – Changchun Market"
- Sample No. 8: "Fried Tofu – Banqiao, Chongqing Road"
- Sample No. 9: "Fried Tofu – Banqiao, Wenhua Road"
- Sample No. 10: "Triangular Fried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
The detected levels ranged from **0.008 g/kg to 0.6 g/kg**.
3. None of the samples exceeded the permitted levels of **sorbic acid** or illegally contained **dehydroacetic acid**.
According to the "Standards for the Use, Scope, and Limits of Food Additives," **sorbic acid** is permitted in dried tofu sheets, with a maximum limit of **2.0 g/kg (calculated as sorbic acid)**. **Dehydroacetic acid**, however, is **not permitted** in soy products.
Sorbic acid is metabolized into carbon dioxide and water after ingestion and is considered a low-toxicity preservative. Nevertheless, it must not be added indiscriminately or in excessive amounts. Dehydroacetic acid is effective against molds and spoilage bacteria, but animal studies referenced in Japan's hygiene testing methods indicate that excessive intake can cause vomiting, ataxia, convulsions, and weight loss.
This inspection found **no instances** of excessive sorbic acid or illegal use of dehydroacetic acid.
4. Four dried tofu shred samples contained residual hydrogen peroxide (accounting for 67% of the samples).
**Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)** is permitted in fish paste products and other foods (excluding flour and its products). However, **no residue is allowed** in the final product. Long-term consumption of hydrogen peroxide may increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in animals and poses potential carcinogenic risks to humans.
Testing was conducted following **CNS 10893 – Methods for Testing Bactericides in Food**. The results showed that **four dried tofu shred samples** contained hydrogen peroxide:
- Sample No. 1: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Muzha Market"
- Sample No. 2: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Shuiyuan Market"
- Sample No. 3: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Banqiao, Ziyou Road"
- Sample No. 4: "Taishan Spiced Dried Tofu Shreds – Banqiao, Chongqing Road"
This accounts for **67%** of the dried tofu shred samples tested.
### Authorities and Businesses
1. **Authorities must strengthen inspections and impose penalties!**
With the upcoming holidays, consumers will purchase large quantities of soy-based products. This inspection revealed illegal use of **benzoic acid** and residual **hydrogen peroxide** in some products.
According to **Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Management Act**:
*"The names, specifications, permitted uses, and maximum limits of food additives shall be determined by the central competent authority."*
Therefore, under **Article 33, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 3** of the same law:
*"A fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 shall be imposed. If the violation occurs again within one year, the business or factory registration may be revoked."*2. For those endangering human health, a fine of NT$180,000 to NT$900,000 may be imposed.
Additionally, if businesses use excessive preservatives, add prohibited preservatives, or leave excessive hydrogen peroxide residues, thereby harming consumers, Article 34 of the Food Sanitation Management Act stipulates: "Those who commit acts specified in Articles 31 to the preceding article, thereby endangering human health, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years, detention, and/or a fine of not less than NT$180,000 and not more than NT$900,000."
3. According to the Consumer Protection Act, businesses must bear liability for damages!
Article 10 of the Consumer Protection Act states: "When an enterprise operator has sufficient reason to believe that the goods or services it provides may endanger consumer safety or health, it shall immediately recall the goods or cease the service. However, this shall not apply if the necessary actions taken by the enterprise operator are sufficient to eliminate the hazard. If the goods or services may endanger consumers' lives, bodies, health, or property, and no warning is conspicuously displayed along with emergency handling instructions for the hazard, the preceding provision shall apply mutatis mutandis."
Therefore, if the goods provided may endanger consumers' lives, bodies, health, or property, the business is liable for compensation under the Consumer Protection Act. Businesses should not take chances and must comply with relevant regulations to ensure product quality control.
Consumers
Long-term ingestion of hydrogen peroxide by animals can easily lead to gastrointestinal cancer. For humans, it may pose a carcinogenic risk, so consumers must be particularly cautious. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause significant damage to cell chromosomes. Therefore, consumers should strive to reduce their intake or accumulation of residual hydrogen peroxide in food to minimize harm to their bodies.
After "benzoic acid" enters the human body, most of it can be excreted through urine, while the remaining portion is detoxified by combining with glucose. However, this detoxification process occurs in the liver, so individuals with poor liver function should avoid it. Excessive intake of benzoic acid can cause symptoms such as drooling, diarrhea, and rapid heartbeat. The Consumers' Foundation reminds consumers that when purchasing food, it is best to choose fully packaged products (check for any damage, etc.) and ensure the product has complete labeling. If buying vacuum-packed products, consumers should verify whether the seller stores them in refrigerated or frozen conditions to ensure safety. When purchasing unpackaged goods, consumers are advised to check whether the store covers the products to reduce contamination by dust, microorganisms, or flies. Additionally, they should pay attention to the store's surrounding hygiene. At the same time, avoid purchasing foods that are overly white or brightly colored, opting instead for products closer to their natural color. After purchase, wash the food thoroughly before use to reduce toxic residues!
Source: http://www. consumers. org. tw/ unit412. aspx? id=1338
Excessive Preservatives or Carcinogens Found in 25% of Dragon Boat Festival Zongzi Fillings!
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, meat-filled zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) become an indispensable delicacy. Among the fillings, bean products such as dried tofu and tofu cubes are often seen. But are these bean products truly safe?
In response, the Consumer Foundation has long conducted tests on preservatives and sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide) in bean products, demanding that manufacturers refrain from adding excessive preservatives, avoid using illegal preservatives, and ensure no residual sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide). In early May this year, the foundation once again sampled 32 bean products from markets and hypermarkets to test for preservatives and sterilizing agents (hydrogen peroxide). The results revealed that 8 out of the 32 samples (25%) contained excessive preservatives or residual hydrogen peroxide!
**Survey Samples**
**Dried Tofu Strips:**
1. "Dried Tofu Strips – Muzha Market"
2. "Dried Tofu Strips – Shuiyuan Market"
3. "Dried Tofu Strips – Banqiao City, Ziyou Road"
4. "Taishan Five-Spice Dried Tofu Strips – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
5. "Dried Tofu Strips – Changchun Market"
6. "Dried Tofu Strips – Nanmen Market"
**Fried Tofu:**
7. "Fried Tofu – Changchun Market"
8. "Fried Tofu – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
9. "Fried Tofu – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
10. "Triangular Fried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
11. "Fried Tofu – Kaiyuan Street"
12. "Fried Tofu – Nanmen Market"
13. "Xinli Fried Tofu – RT-Mart Jingping Branch"
**Vegetarian Chicken (Tofu Product):**
14. "Vegetarian Chicken – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
15. "Vegetarian Chicken – Changchun Market"
16. "Vegetarian Chicken – Muzha Market"
17. "Vegetarian Chicken – Jingmei Street"
18. "Vegetarian Chicken – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
**Dried Tofu:**
19. "Dried Tofu – Shuiyuan Market"
20. "Dried Tofu – Kaiyuan Street"
21. "Dried Tofu – Changchun Market"
22. "DC-Dried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
23. "Xinli Dried Tofu – RT-Mart (Jingping Branch)"
24. "Dried Tofu – Jingmei Street"
25. "Dried Tofu – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
26. "Dried Tofu – Banqiao City, Wenhua Road"
**Tofu Skin:**
27. "Fresh Tofu Skin – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
28. "Tofu Skin – Changchun Market"
29. "Tofu Skin – Muzha Market"
30. "Tofu Skin – Jingmei Street"
31. "Tofu Skin – Banqiao City, Ziyou Road"
32. "Tofu Skin – Banqiao City, Chongqing Road"
**Test Results**
1. **One Sample Exceeded the Legal Limit for Benzoic Acid**
According to the "Standards for the Use, Limits, and Specifications of Food Additives," benzoic acid is permitted in mullet roe, dried seafood, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, pickled vegetables, tofu skin, and dried tofu, with a maximum limit of 0.6 g/kg (as Benzoic Acid). Although most benzoic acid is excreted through urine after ingestion, detoxification occurs in the liver, making it unsuitable for individuals with poor liver function.
The survey found that one sample exceeded the benzoic acid limit: Sample No. 1, "Dried Tofu Strips – Muzha Market," with a detected level between 0.6 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg.2. Four samples of fried tofu were found to illegally contain benzoic acid (accounting for 57% of the fried tofu samples).
According to the "Standards for the Use, Scope, and Limits of Food Additives," benzoic acid is permitted in products such as fish paste, meat products, sea urchin, caviar, peanut butter, cheese, candied fruits, dehydrated fruits, dried radish with a moisture content of 25% or higher, cooked beans, miso, seaweed paste, fermented bean curd, pastries, soy sauce, jam, juice, cheese, butter, margarine, tomato sauce, chili sauce, concentrated fruit syrup, flavored syrup, and other condiments. It is also allowed in dried mullet roe, dried seafood, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, pickled vegetables, dried tofu sheets, and preserved vegetables. However, benzoic acid is **not permitted** in fried tofu.
In this investigation, out of seven fried tofu samples tested, four were found to contain benzoic acid:
- Sample No. 7: "Fried Tofu – Changchun Market"
- Sample No. 8: "Fried Tofu – Banqiao, Chongqing Road"
- Sample No. 9: "Fried Tofu – Banqiao, Wenhua Road"
- Sample No. 10: "Triangular Fried Tofu – Carrefour Zhonghe Branch"
The detected levels ranged from **0.008 g/kg to 0.6 g/kg**.
3. None of the samples exceeded the permitted levels of **sorbic acid** or illegally contained **dehydroacetic acid**.
According to the "Standards for the Use, Scope, and Limits of Food Additives," **sorbic acid** is permitted in dried tofu sheets, with a maximum limit of **2.0 g/kg (calculated as sorbic acid)**. **Dehydroacetic acid**, however, is **not permitted** in soy products.
Sorbic acid is metabolized into carbon dioxide and water after ingestion and is considered a low-toxicity preservative. Nevertheless, it must not be added indiscriminately or in excessive amounts. Dehydroacetic acid is effective against molds and spoilage bacteria, but animal studies referenced in Japan's hygiene testing methods indicate that excessive intake can cause vomiting, ataxia, convulsions, and weight loss.
This inspection found **no instances** of excessive sorbic acid or illegal use of dehydroacetic acid.
4. Four dried tofu shred samples contained residual hydrogen peroxide (accounting for 67% of the samples).
**Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)** is permitted in fish paste products and other foods (excluding flour and its products). However, **no residue is allowed** in the final product. Long-term consumption of hydrogen peroxide may increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in animals and poses potential carcinogenic risks to humans.
Testing was conducted following **CNS 10893 – Methods for Testing Bactericides in Food**. The results showed that **four dried tofu shred samples** contained hydrogen peroxide:
- Sample No. 1: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Muzha Market"
- Sample No. 2: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Shuiyuan Market"
- Sample No. 3: "Dried Tofu Shreds – Banqiao, Ziyou Road"
- Sample No. 4: "Taishan Spiced Dried Tofu Shreds – Banqiao, Chongqing Road"
This accounts for **67%** of the dried tofu shred samples tested.
### Authorities and Businesses
1. **Authorities must strengthen inspections and impose penalties!**
With the upcoming holidays, consumers will purchase large quantities of soy-based products. This inspection revealed illegal use of **benzoic acid** and residual **hydrogen peroxide** in some products.
According to **Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Management Act**:
*"The names, specifications, permitted uses, and maximum limits of food additives shall be determined by the central competent authority."*
Therefore, under **Article 33, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 3** of the same law:
*"A fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 shall be imposed. If the violation occurs again within one year, the business or factory registration may be revoked."*2. For those endangering human health, a fine of NT$180,000 to NT$900,000 may be imposed.
Additionally, if businesses use excessive preservatives, add prohibited preservatives, or leave excessive hydrogen peroxide residues, thereby harming consumers, Article 34 of the Food Sanitation Management Act stipulates: "Those who commit acts specified in Articles 31 to the preceding article, thereby endangering human health, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years, detention, and/or a fine of not less than NT$180,000 and not more than NT$900,000."
3. According to the Consumer Protection Act, businesses must bear liability for damages!
Article 10 of the Consumer Protection Act states: "When an enterprise operator has sufficient reason to believe that the goods or services it provides may endanger consumer safety or health, it shall immediately recall the goods or cease the service. However, this shall not apply if the necessary actions taken by the enterprise operator are sufficient to eliminate the hazard. If the goods or services may endanger consumers' lives, bodies, health, or property, and no warning is conspicuously displayed along with emergency handling instructions for the hazard, the preceding provision shall apply mutatis mutandis."
Therefore, if the goods provided may endanger consumers' lives, bodies, health, or property, the business is liable for compensation under the Consumer Protection Act. Businesses should not take chances and must comply with relevant regulations to ensure product quality control.
Consumers
Long-term ingestion of hydrogen peroxide by animals can easily lead to gastrointestinal cancer. For humans, it may pose a carcinogenic risk, so consumers must be particularly cautious. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause significant damage to cell chromosomes. Therefore, consumers should strive to reduce their intake or accumulation of residual hydrogen peroxide in food to minimize harm to their bodies.
After "benzoic acid" enters the human body, most of it can be excreted through urine, while the remaining portion is detoxified by combining with glucose. However, this detoxification process occurs in the liver, so individuals with poor liver function should avoid it. Excessive intake of benzoic acid can cause symptoms such as drooling, diarrhea, and rapid heartbeat. The Consumers' Foundation reminds consumers that when purchasing food, it is best to choose fully packaged products (check for any damage, etc.) and ensure the product has complete labeling. If buying vacuum-packed products, consumers should verify whether the seller stores them in refrigerated or frozen conditions to ensure safety. When purchasing unpackaged goods, consumers are advised to check whether the store covers the products to reduce contamination by dust, microorganisms, or flies. Additionally, they should pay attention to the store's surrounding hygiene. At the same time, avoid purchasing foods that are overly white or brightly colored, opting instead for products closer to their natural color. After purchase, wash the food thoroughly before use to reduce toxic residues!
Source: http://www. consumers. org. tw/ unit412. aspx? id=1338