Nearly one in three soybean products on the market contain preservative agents or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is used as an insecticide, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday, urging consumers to purchase products kept in cold storage since those kept at room temperature are more likely to be laced with preservatives due to their higher susceptibility to bacterial contamination.
“Of the 58 samples of tofu and pressed tofu products tested by the agency last month, 20 were found to contain the aforementioned substance,” said Feng Jun-lan (馮潤蘭), director of the FDA’s Northern Center for Regional Administration.
Feng said 15 of the products tested positive for preservative agents, including two pressed tofu products that contained 3.68g and 0.73g of benzoic acid per kilogram — more than the maximum permissible level of 0.6g/kg — and 13 tofu products that contained 0.07g/kg to 2.63g/kg of benzoic acid, or 0.05g/kg to 0.1g/kg of sorbic acid.
Manufacturers are banned from using benzoic acid or sorbic acid in tofu products, as stipulated in the Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives (食品添加物使用範圍及限量暨規格標準).
“In addition, residues of H2O2 were discovered in five pressed tofu products, which is not allowed,” Feng said, adding that violators are to be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million (US$1,000 and US$100,000) in accordance with Article 47 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法).
The 58 samples of tofu products came from 20 soy food factories in New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Greater Taichung, Chiayi City, Greater Tainan and Greater Kaohsiung, Feng said.
Sixteen of the 20 companies were also found in violation of the Food Good Hygienic Practices, Feng said.
“Most of them failed to store ingredients or finished products above the floor, implement appropriate vector control measures, provide reports of physical examinations of their employees, or systematically manage their food additives,” Feng said.
While benzoic acid can be eliminated from the body via excretion within nine to 15 hours after consumption, excessive intake of the substance can irritate the digestive system, cause stomachaches and affect liver and kidney functions, the FDA said.
“As for hydrogen peroxide, excessive consumption of the germicidal agent can cause discomfort, such as headaches and vomiting, while exposure to this substance at high levels can cause tissue damage to the skin, eyes and the gastrointestinal tract,” it said.
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