Toxic curd and bites infiltrate market
by Carol Aloysius
Pots of curd liberally laced with formalin, ascetic acid and aluhunu
used to preserve the contents are openly sold in food outlets across the
country, including wayside eateries, restaurants and hotels, food
officials have charged.
"These agents are toxic and carcinogenic and should never be used by
the food industry," Head, National Poisons Information Unit, National
Hospital, Colombo, Dr Waruna Gunatileke told the Sunday Observer.
"They cause blood abnormalities, cough, shortness of breath, blood
clotting abnormalities and burning of the throat and esophagus, he
warned.
Meanwhile, sources at Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said,
unscrupulous vendors were using these dangerous substances as they were
much cheaper than the imported preservatives permitted for use under the
Consumer Affairs Food Act. "Long expiry dates and a firm upper coating
of milk, which does not spill out easily when turned upside down can be
proof of curd probably containing these toxic elements," a food
inspector told the Sunday Observer.
Dr Gunatileke said his Unit had also received increasing complaints
regarding manioc bites containing harmful foreign material.
"We have found evidence that these bites contain plastic particles
from plastic bottles.
"Samples of these chips have been referred for investigations to
various authorized labs by the authorities concerned," he said adding
"These plastic particles were probably used as thickening agents to
prevent the chips from breaking easily, after being packeted."
CAA sources said all packeted instant 'bites' were now under strict
scrutiny following these complaints and urged the public to immediately
inform the nearest PHI or Police station if they found any packet of
instant food containing such toxic substances. |