Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
May 14, 2013 [Liberty Times reporter Hong Suqing reported]
The Department of Health is continuing to expand its investigation into the possible scope of impact from maleic acid-modified starch. In addition to the current four product manufacturers, eight types of products, and two starch suppliers, it is not ruled out that other manufacturers may also be affected. Experts worry that the scope of impact could expand in the future, potentially becoming another incident similar to the plasticizer clouding agent scandal.
**Modified Starch Resists Freezing, Enhances Chewy Texture**
Lu Xun, director of the Taiwan Cereals and Oils Industrial Research Institute, pointed out that chemically modified starch, also known as modified starch, is processed to enhance its applicability by altering its structure through chemical modification. Depending on the modification site, chemically modified starch can exhibit characteristics such as freeze resistance, anti-aging, increased water absorption, and enhanced viscosity. The purpose of using maleic acid-modified starch in this case was likely to achieve a chewier texture.
**Maleic Acid is Toxic, Restricted to Industrial Use**
Currently, Taiwan has approved 21 types of chemically modified starch for food use. However, maleic acid-modified starch, due to its toxicity, is restricted to industrial applications and is not permitted as a food additive.
Lu Xun stated that legally approved modified starch can be used as a food additive, but the key lies in appropriate usage. For example, previous reports revealed that some rice noodles excessively used modified starch, treating additives as the main ingredient. Excessive consumption could lead to the inadvertent intake of excessive sodium and phosphorus.
Lin Jieliang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, noted that maleic acid is used in adhesives, resins, and the paper industry. Due to its toxicity, starch modified with maleic acid is also toxic.
**"Masters Among Masters" Dare to Use Toxic Starch**
Why would manufacturers boldly use toxic maleic acid instead of food-grade modified starch? An anonymous expert suggested that those who dare to use maleic acid-modified starch in food might be "masters among masters." Maleic acid has two double bonds—one can bond with peroxides to enhance the product’s elasticity, while the remaining double bond can prevent starch aging (avoiding texture hardening). If unscrupulous businesses are indeed this reckless, the subsequent repercussions could be unpredictable.
**Experts Suspect More "Hidden Bombs"**
The expert further questioned whether maleic acid-modified starch is only used in products like tapioca balls, flat rice noodles, and taro balls, or limited to small-scale manufacturers. "Rumors suggest that industrial modified starch is used in more products than currently known. There may be other hidden bombs in the future, and the scope of impact could be far greater.""Chemical makeup powder scandal - Experts fear resurgence of plasticizer storm"
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Starch Scandal Sparks Fears of New Plasticizer Crisis
The Department of Health is continuing to expand its investigation into the possible scope of impact from maleic acid-modified starch. In addition to the current four product manufacturers, eight types of products, and two starch suppliers, it is not ruled out that other manufacturers may also be affected. Experts worry that the scope of impact could expand in the future, potentially becoming another incident similar to the plasticizer clouding agent scandal.
**Modified Starch Resists Freezing, Enhances Chewy Texture**
Lu Xun, director of the Taiwan Cereals and Oils Industrial Research Institute, pointed out that chemically modified starch, also known as modified starch, is processed to enhance its applicability by altering its structure through chemical modification. Depending on the modification site, chemically modified starch can exhibit characteristics such as freeze resistance, anti-aging, increased water absorption, and enhanced viscosity. The purpose of using maleic acid-modified starch in this case was likely to achieve a chewier texture.
**Maleic Acid is Toxic, Restricted to Industrial Use**
Currently, Taiwan has approved 21 types of chemically modified starch for food use. However, maleic acid-modified starch, due to its toxicity, is restricted to industrial applications and is not permitted as a food additive.
Lu Xun stated that legally approved modified starch can be used as a food additive, but the key lies in appropriate usage. For example, previous reports revealed that some rice noodles excessively used modified starch, treating additives as the main ingredient. Excessive consumption could lead to the inadvertent intake of excessive sodium and phosphorus.
Lin Jieliang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, noted that maleic acid is used in adhesives, resins, and the paper industry. Due to its toxicity, starch modified with maleic acid is also toxic.
**"Masters Among Masters" Dare to Use Toxic Starch**
Why would manufacturers boldly use toxic maleic acid instead of food-grade modified starch? An anonymous expert suggested that those who dare to use maleic acid-modified starch in food might be "masters among masters." Maleic acid has two double bonds—one can bond with peroxides to enhance the product’s elasticity, while the remaining double bond can prevent starch aging (avoiding texture hardening). If unscrupulous businesses are indeed this reckless, the subsequent repercussions could be unpredictable.
**Experts Suspect More "Hidden Bombs"**
The expert further questioned whether maleic acid-modified starch is only used in products like tapioca balls, flat rice noodles, and taro balls, or limited to small-scale manufacturers. "Rumors suggest that industrial modified starch is used in more products than currently known. There may be other hidden bombs in the future, and the scope of impact could be far greater.""Chemical makeup powder scandal - Experts fear resurgence of plasticizer storm"
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E5……6% 8D% E8% B5% B7- 221806649. html;_ylt=AsmEIA27NjL5p5V3nX2_5B1COl46;_ylu=X3oDMTRlNDg5bzIxBG1pdANsaXN0IHBvbGxwYWdlIG5ld3MgbmV3BHBrZwM3MDZhNTQzYi1mNzlhLTNjOTItYTYzZS05MDIwMTYxNjQxM2UEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQkxpc3RNaXhlZExQQ0FUZW1wBHZlcgNhODcwYmYyMi1iYzZiLTExZTItOWRmZC01Y2I5NTQ0NmFhMjM-;_ylg=X3oDMTJwMjA1czRoBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMEcHN0Y2F0A.aWsOiBnummlumggXzmmYLkuovmsJHoqr8EcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAN0ZXN0X2li;_ylv=3