Chemical experts yesterday urged the public not to use plastic wrap made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), because oily or hot foods wrapped in that material could absorb potentially harmful plasticizer chemicals.
Academics and experts told a panel discussion on food safety that merely avoiding food and beverages recently identified as containing harmful plasticizers did not mean people were completely safe from the chemicals.
The food scare of the past three weeks brought to public attention food and other products, including supplements, sports drinks and beverages, that contain chemicals such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, and diisononyl phthalate, or DINP.
Lab tests have confirmed that DEHP and DINP have been used as a substitute for more expensive ingredients in a common food -additive called a clouding agent.
PVC packaging, which has been shown to also contain DEHP, has come under scrutiny over fears of contamination.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an institution under the WHO that coordinates and conducts research on the causes of cancer, has concluded there is “inadequate evidence” regarding the carcinogenicity of DEHP. However, some experts have suggested that exposure to DEHP can cause a decrease in sperm production.
Chen Mei-lien (陳美蓮), a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at National Yang Ming University, said she found that plastic wrap and food containers made with PVC could cause DEHP to leach into food at levels as high as 7.27mg per kilogram of food.
DEHP can leach into oily foods. Covering food with plastic wrap while heating it in a microwave or other heating device could cause even more DEHP to be transferred into the food, she said.
Chen said most people were under the false impression that plastic containers would only leach harmful chemicals if hot food or liquids were contained in them.
This is wrong, because oily foods, even at 25°C, can be contaminated by harmful chemicals leaching into them from plastic containers, Chen said.
She urged authorities to regulate the use of PVC-based plastic wrap, which is not currently banned under health and safety regulations and therefore could be used by consumers who are unaware of the potential hazards of such products.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
RSS