Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
Health and Medical Network Reporter Zhang Yufan Reports December 16, 2013
Many people enjoy staying at home and eating hot pot during the cold winter months. To safeguard public health, the Taipei City Government Department of Health conducted a special inspection project on commercially available hot pot ingredients. The results revealed that out of 10 samples of frozen tofu, 4 were found to contain the illegal preservative "benzoic acid," with a non-compliance rate as high as 40%.
The Taipei City Government Department of Health carried out the inspection project on hot pot ingredients, sampling products from traditional markets, hot pot restaurants, supermarkets, and eateries. The items tested included preservatives, hydrogen peroxide, borax, veterinary drugs, and carbon dioxide. A total of 50 products were sampled, with 4 failing quality inspections, resulting in a non-compliance rate of 8%.
The Taipei Department of Health stated that all four non-compliant products were frozen tofu, which were found to contain the unauthorized preservative benzoic acid. According to the Food Sanitation Management Act, manufacturers or responsible companies may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million. The department has already demanded the immediate removal of non-compliant products and will handle the cases in accordance with the law. For products traced back to other counties or cities, the respective local health departments have been notified for follow-up action.
The department further explained that the preservative "benzoic acid," commonly known as benzenecarboxylic acid, easily evaporates with steam. While benzoic acid can be excreted from the body via urine within 9-15 hours after ingestion, excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing stomach pain, and place a burden on the liver and kidneys.
The department reminded the public that most preservatives are water-soluble. Therefore, before consumption, products can be boiled in water, with the water subsequently discarded, or cooked uncovered to allow the preservatives to evaporate with the steam, reducing residue. Additionally, the department advised consumers to purchase tofu in daily portions, opting for freshly made tofu stored at low temperatures to avoid repeated thawing, which could affect product quality.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E7……5% 90% E5% 8A% 91- 050300835. html
Hot Pot Ingredient Inspection: Four Frozen Tofu Samples Contain Preservatives
Many people enjoy staying at home and eating hot pot during the cold winter months. To safeguard public health, the Taipei City Government Department of Health conducted a special inspection project on commercially available hot pot ingredients. The results revealed that out of 10 samples of frozen tofu, 4 were found to contain the illegal preservative "benzoic acid," with a non-compliance rate as high as 40%.
The Taipei City Government Department of Health carried out the inspection project on hot pot ingredients, sampling products from traditional markets, hot pot restaurants, supermarkets, and eateries. The items tested included preservatives, hydrogen peroxide, borax, veterinary drugs, and carbon dioxide. A total of 50 products were sampled, with 4 failing quality inspections, resulting in a non-compliance rate of 8%.
The Taipei Department of Health stated that all four non-compliant products were frozen tofu, which were found to contain the unauthorized preservative benzoic acid. According to the Food Sanitation Management Act, manufacturers or responsible companies may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million. The department has already demanded the immediate removal of non-compliant products and will handle the cases in accordance with the law. For products traced back to other counties or cities, the respective local health departments have been notified for follow-up action.
The department further explained that the preservative "benzoic acid," commonly known as benzenecarboxylic acid, easily evaporates with steam. While benzoic acid can be excreted from the body via urine within 9-15 hours after ingestion, excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing stomach pain, and place a burden on the liver and kidneys.
The department reminded the public that most preservatives are water-soluble. Therefore, before consumption, products can be boiled in water, with the water subsequently discarded, or cooked uncovered to allow the preservatives to evaporate with the steam, reducing residue. Additionally, the department advised consumers to purchase tofu in daily portions, opting for freshly made tofu stored at low temperatures to avoid repeated thawing, which could affect product quality.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E7……5% 90% E5% 8A% 91- 050300835. html