The Internet is buzzing with a new food safety issue: many tableware items made from wood, such as wooden spoons or chopsticks, contain chemicals and heavy metals to prevent them from rotting and make them more durable. If such tableware is used regularly, it can lead to poisoning, and the Food and Drug Administration says that according to the regulations, tableware that tests positive for toxins is not permitted.
Any utensils, containers or packaging that come into direct contact with food or food additives — including wooden tableware — must conform with the regulations of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation and the Sanitation Standards for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. The regulations state that such items cannot contain toxins or any substance that would cause an adverse chemical reaction or be harmful to health, or any other substance that is suspected to pose a risk to human health. However, testing carried out by the Food and Drug Administration has revealed traces of bleach, hydrogen peroxide and other substances in over 17 tons of disposable chopsticks.
The administration reminds members of the public, when purchasing wooden tableware, to carefully inspect its exterior appearance and odor and to review the product information and inspection certification. When using wooden tableware items, the administration also advises users to keep them dry and clean and to replace them at regular intervals.
Photo: Tsai Meng-shang, Liberty Times
照片:自由時報記者蔡孟尚
(Liberty Times, translated by Edward Jones)
網路流傳新的食安問題,許多木製餐具如木湯匙、木筷等,為了防腐及耐用添加了很多化學藥劑與重金屬,經常使用會導致中毒;食藥署表示,依規定餐具上都不能被檢驗出毒物。
與食品或食品添加物直接接觸的食品器具容器及包裝,含木製餐具等,都應該要符合「食品安全衛生管理法」及「食品器具容器包裝衛生標準」的規定,包括不得以有毒、易生不良化學作用、足以危害健康或其他經風險評估有危害健康之虞者等情形。不過,食藥署曾在免洗筷檢驗專案中,發現超過十七噸免洗筷殘留漂白劑、雙氧水等。
食藥署提醒民眾,選購木製餐具時,一定要仔細檢視外觀、氣味以及產品說明、檢驗證明等;使用時要盡量保持乾燥清潔,並要定期更換。
(自由時報記者吳亮儀)
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