The economic focus has driven mankind for advancement and improvement. In their enthusiasm to make quick returns from the investments, some are willing to compromise on the acceptable level of safety standards set by the authorities.
In the recent situation, China, the global exporter, after taking massive beatings abroad, released a 39-page policy, “China’s Food Safety Quality” in an attempt to save its reputation. Judging from their responses made domestically that stiff actions will be taken against those who used banned chemicals to boost yield and profit, these assurances given by their Agriculture Minister did not stop the warnings and recalls made abroad and it has shaken the confidence of “made in China” label in the international market. In July, China executed the former head of its state food and drug administration for dereliction of duty. With all eyes on those labels, the question is, will the monitoring bodies also maintain their focus on the products from other countries so that the consumers are well protected from this exposure.
Malachite Green:- This chemical is used as dye on leather, fabrics, and paper and when diluted it is effective against parasite, bacterial and fungal infections in fish. Research conducted on rodents found that it promotes the formation of liver tumor after two years was amongst the many negative findings that would be detrimental to human health when consumed. As such, fish that are treated with this toxic chemical is not destined for human consumption. In June 2007, US blocked the importation of several varieties of seafood that were contaminated with this chemical. Though US has banned the usage of this substance on food since 1983, and followed by Canadian Government advice against its usage in fish (for consumption) in 1992, certain countries still allow its usage in a controlled manner.
Melamine:- It is commonly used externally on products to give the glossy and durable effects. Today, many of the kitchen utensils and table-wares are made of melamine as they are hygienic and safe. While the product is user friendly, the damage that it may cause to human when consumed is yet to be documented. It was reported recently that animal feeds that were added with melamine to increase their apparent protein content were recalled when the animals died due to kidney failure after eating the products. This gives credence to the report that claim ingestion of this product may cause damage to the kidney, reproductive organs, and bladder which may lead to cancer. Now, would you eat the meat of the animal that is fed with melamine tainted feeds?
Diethylene glycol (DEG):- It is a sweet flavored anti-freeze agent found in hydraulic fluid, brake fluid and coolant. As it is three times cheaper than glycerin and sweeter, many unscrupulous traders used it as a substitute to glycerin in juniors’ cough syrup, toothpaste and paracetamol that have caused many deaths to children in the hands of the unsuspecting parents. Last year, 100 people in Panama have reportedly died after taking the medicines that officials unwittingly mixed DEG thinking it was glycerin as labeled by the exporter. In May 2007, Panamanian Officials reported that imported toothpaste contained high level of DEG and this was experienced by many users in US who complained of headache after using the toothpaste. Hence, the recalls for this toothpaste were made in US, Japan and followed by those who had imported them.
If you were wine drinker, would you be suspecting the DEG was added to give it a sweet and full-bodied taste? In 1885, a small group of short-sighted Austrian wine producers caused the country’s wine export to collapse until stricter regulations were imposed on their industry.
Domestic animals that licked on the spillage from vehicles have also died. DEG causes the kidney to fail, central nervous system to collapse and paralyzes the body functions making respiration difficult.
It is difficult for an individual to know the rate of exposures to this tainted food. As these hidden poisons could be exported from any country, it is hope that the authorities in the importing countries put stringent monitoring systems in place in protecting the health of their citizens
