Excessive levels of sulfur dioxide residue, as well as traces of formaldehyde and the veterinary drugs chlortetracycline and doxycycline, were found in 12 types of shrimp products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday.
The agency released the results of its inspection of 231 types of shrimp products sold in 199 stores nationwide — including hypermarkets and traditional markets — which were tested for preservatives, bleaching agents and veterinary drugs.
It said 94.81 percent of the samples passed inspection, but 12 failed and their producers have been asked to have them removed from the market according to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法).
The ones that failed had been bought at various stores, including outlets of RT-Mart, Carrefour and Wellcome.
FDA Northern Center section head Wu Ming-mei (吳明美) said eight items contained excessive levels of sulfur dioxide residue, with between 1.6 to 2.6 times the legal limit, which is 0.10g/kg.
Three contained chlortetracycline and doxycycline, which are illegal in food products, and one contained formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide residue, Wu said.
Wu said the product found with formaldehyde residue is being examined by the Chiayi Health Department, which is trying to determine if it also contained sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, which is illegal in food products.
Excessive exposure to sulfur dioxide, a bleaching agent, can cause adverse health effects, including difficulty breathing, diarrhea and vomiting, the FDA said.
The long-term effects of formaldehyde exposure include irritation and corrosion of the digestive tract and increased chances of developing certain forms of cancer, it said.
Consumers should pay attention to the color and smell of fresh shrimp before making a purchase, carefully wash shrimp before cooking and cook them thoroughly, the FDA said.
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