Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
December 21, 2013 [United Evening News / Reporter Zeng Wanlin / Taipei Report]
On chilly days, steaming hot grass jelly is irresistible, and many enjoy a bowl to ward off the cold. However, some grass jelly products may be fake. Dr. Chen Yaokuan, a chemistry Ph.D. from Oxford University, revealed that 65% of commercially sold grass jelly is chemically synthesized rather than made from real grass jelly plants. Instead, it is concocted using grass jelly powder, alkali powder, grass jelly flavoring, and artificial coloring, which may burden the liver and kidneys if consumed excessively.
Chen Yaokuan explained that authentic grass jelly should be light brown with a faint herbal aroma, unlike the dark black color seen in many commercial products. If caramel coloring is added, the jelly turns pitch black. However, caramel coloring is a highly hazardous carcinogen, and excessive consumption can severely harm the body.
Song Minghua, a diabetes educator and home care nutritionist, noted that boiling grass jelly with water should suffice to make hot grass jelly. However, many vendors add alkali powder to speed up the process and avoid long cooking times. Alkali powder helps the jelly solidify but can damage mucous membranes in the stomach and esophagus.
Chen Yaokuan also pointed out that many people drink coffee in winter to stay alert. However, canned or instant coffee may contain chemical additives such as modified starch, high-fructose corn syrup, coffee flavoring, and caramel coloring. These ingredients not only contribute to obesity but also strain the liver and kidneys while increasing cancer risks.
Lei Lifen, Secretary-General of the Consumers' Foundation, stated that random inspections of snacks and beverages have revealed many products that are misleadingly labeled. Consumers often have no idea what they are actually consuming, as many items may pose hidden risks. The government should enforce stricter food labeling regulations and inspections to better protect consumer rights.
Source: http://mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ storypage. jsp? f_ART_ID=491119#ixzz2pffZpP4U
Black Grass Jelly May Harm Liver and Kidneys
On chilly days, steaming hot grass jelly is irresistible, and many enjoy a bowl to ward off the cold. However, some grass jelly products may be fake. Dr. Chen Yaokuan, a chemistry Ph.D. from Oxford University, revealed that 65% of commercially sold grass jelly is chemically synthesized rather than made from real grass jelly plants. Instead, it is concocted using grass jelly powder, alkali powder, grass jelly flavoring, and artificial coloring, which may burden the liver and kidneys if consumed excessively.
Chen Yaokuan explained that authentic grass jelly should be light brown with a faint herbal aroma, unlike the dark black color seen in many commercial products. If caramel coloring is added, the jelly turns pitch black. However, caramel coloring is a highly hazardous carcinogen, and excessive consumption can severely harm the body.
Song Minghua, a diabetes educator and home care nutritionist, noted that boiling grass jelly with water should suffice to make hot grass jelly. However, many vendors add alkali powder to speed up the process and avoid long cooking times. Alkali powder helps the jelly solidify but can damage mucous membranes in the stomach and esophagus.
Chen Yaokuan also pointed out that many people drink coffee in winter to stay alert. However, canned or instant coffee may contain chemical additives such as modified starch, high-fructose corn syrup, coffee flavoring, and caramel coloring. These ingredients not only contribute to obesity but also strain the liver and kidneys while increasing cancer risks.
Lei Lifen, Secretary-General of the Consumers' Foundation, stated that random inspections of snacks and beverages have revealed many products that are misleadingly labeled. Consumers often have no idea what they are actually consuming, as many items may pose hidden risks. The government should enforce stricter food labeling regulations and inspections to better protect consumer rights.
Source: http://mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ storypage. jsp? f_ART_ID=491119#ixzz2pffZpP4U