Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
2011-05-31 China Times, by Zhu Zhenkai and Li Zongyou / Taipei Report
The plasticizer scandal has heightened public concern over beverage safety. Yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Shu-fen questioned why many "long-life milk products without actual milk" and "vegetable and fruit juices containing only flavorings and colorants" are permitted for sale in elementary and middle schools, potentially harming children's development. Vice Minister of Education Chen Yi-hsing promised that if the public deems it necessary to ban such products in schools, a comprehensive review will be conducted.
According to the Ministry of Education's "Regulations on the Sale of Beverages and Snacks in Schools," only seven types of beverages—such as mineral water, fruit juice, milk, and soy milk—are allowed to be sold in school stores. However, after the plasticizer incident, the public realized that many so-called fruit juices and milk beverages are actually chemically synthesized "counterfeit products." Lin Shu-fen pointed out that although the Ministry of Education has restricted beverage categories in schools, the fruit juices students drink are often just mixtures of flavorings and water, while long-life milk products contain no real milk. Even the chocolate milk's aroma is artificially replicated with flavorings, highlighting the overly vague beverage regulations. "Does the Ministry of Education plan to ban chemical-based beverages in schools?" she asked.
In response, Vice Minister Chen Yi-hsing stated that the school beverage regulations were formulated by experts and scholars and should therefore be sound. However, Lin emphasized that while all commercially available beverages meet hygiene standards, medical research confirms that growing children should avoid chemical additives, necessitating higher-level measures from the Ministry of Education.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yi-hsing replied, "We trust the administrative team and respect the Department of Health's standards, so we cannot surpass them." This immediately angered DPP legislators present, who accused the Ministry of Education of rigidly adhering to outdated regulations and neglecting children's health without proactive action. They demanded a response from Deputy Minister of Health Chen Zai-jin, who was also present.
Chen Zai-jin stressed that different age groups have different nutritional needs, adding, "For growing students, consuming such foods is absolutely inappropriate."
Chen Yi-hsing stated that if students require higher food standards, the Ministry of Education is willing to review current policies. He announced plans to convene a "Review Meeting on Campus Food Safety and Nutrition Policy Control," inviting legislators and experts to revise the "Regulations on the Sale of Beverages and Snacks in Schools."
He added that if the public believes certain products, including long-life milk, should be banned in schools following the plasticizer incident, the Ministry of Education will propose appropriate measures.
Regarding the Ministry of Education's consideration of halting long-life milk sales in schools, the Council of Agriculture emphasized that long-life milk's nutritional content is similar to fresh milk. However, due to ultra-high-temperature sterilization, long-life milk loses some fatty acids, resulting in weaker aroma and slightly inferior taste. Nonetheless, its room-temperature shelf life of up to six months makes it more convenient for schools in remote areas and consumers to purchase and consume.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ l……1051801/ 112011053100052. html
Ban Flavored Milk and Juice from Schools?
The plasticizer scandal has heightened public concern over beverage safety. Yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Shu-fen questioned why many "long-life milk products without actual milk" and "vegetable and fruit juices containing only flavorings and colorants" are permitted for sale in elementary and middle schools, potentially harming children's development. Vice Minister of Education Chen Yi-hsing promised that if the public deems it necessary to ban such products in schools, a comprehensive review will be conducted.
According to the Ministry of Education's "Regulations on the Sale of Beverages and Snacks in Schools," only seven types of beverages—such as mineral water, fruit juice, milk, and soy milk—are allowed to be sold in school stores. However, after the plasticizer incident, the public realized that many so-called fruit juices and milk beverages are actually chemically synthesized "counterfeit products." Lin Shu-fen pointed out that although the Ministry of Education has restricted beverage categories in schools, the fruit juices students drink are often just mixtures of flavorings and water, while long-life milk products contain no real milk. Even the chocolate milk's aroma is artificially replicated with flavorings, highlighting the overly vague beverage regulations. "Does the Ministry of Education plan to ban chemical-based beverages in schools?" she asked.
In response, Vice Minister Chen Yi-hsing stated that the school beverage regulations were formulated by experts and scholars and should therefore be sound. However, Lin emphasized that while all commercially available beverages meet hygiene standards, medical research confirms that growing children should avoid chemical additives, necessitating higher-level measures from the Ministry of Education.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yi-hsing replied, "We trust the administrative team and respect the Department of Health's standards, so we cannot surpass them." This immediately angered DPP legislators present, who accused the Ministry of Education of rigidly adhering to outdated regulations and neglecting children's health without proactive action. They demanded a response from Deputy Minister of Health Chen Zai-jin, who was also present.
Chen Zai-jin stressed that different age groups have different nutritional needs, adding, "For growing students, consuming such foods is absolutely inappropriate."
Chen Yi-hsing stated that if students require higher food standards, the Ministry of Education is willing to review current policies. He announced plans to convene a "Review Meeting on Campus Food Safety and Nutrition Policy Control," inviting legislators and experts to revise the "Regulations on the Sale of Beverages and Snacks in Schools."
He added that if the public believes certain products, including long-life milk, should be banned in schools following the plasticizer incident, the Ministry of Education will propose appropriate measures.
Regarding the Ministry of Education's consideration of halting long-life milk sales in schools, the Council of Agriculture emphasized that long-life milk's nutritional content is similar to fresh milk. However, due to ultra-high-temperature sterilization, long-life milk loses some fatty acids, resulting in weaker aroma and slightly inferior taste. Nonetheless, its room-temperature shelf life of up to six months makes it more convenient for schools in remote areas and consumers to purchase and consume.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ l……1051801/ 112011053100052. html