Three Bak Kwa Products Recalled

Three dried pork/ bak kwa products were recalled after tests found they have too much nitrate, a preservative that can cause cancer if consumed excessively according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. Legal action had been initiated against the food processors.

One of the products was under 'Cap Ayam' brand while the other two were brandless products from Penang.

Nitrate and nitrite are preservatives used in processed meat to inhibit bacteria growth and enhance colour. Liow said when consumed, nitrate will be converted into nitrite in the body and join red blood cells (methemoglobin).

"High red blood cell will reduce its ability to supply oxygen to organs making the person tired, dizzy, difficult to breathe, look pale and suffer headache and palpitation. Food subjected to high temperature or high acid will result in amine from meat protein and reaction with nitrite will form nitrosamine which can cause cancer."

Updates on my 'Two Taiwanese Food Products And Korean Noodle Recalled For Tests' post:
Good news for those who love Korean Noodles 'Shin Ramen'! Health Ministry said that Korean Noodles 'Shin Ramen' is SAFE for consumption after being tested that it does not contain carcinogen di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).



Source:
- The Star Online
- Klik 4 Malaysia.com
- Bernama.com

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Two Taiwanese Food Products And Korean Noodle Recalled For Tests

If you're a consumer of Taiwanese or Korean food products, please pay attention to this. Recently, Health Ministry has ordered Delitea Sdn Bhd to recall two Taiwanese food products after the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 'Strawberry Pudding Powder' and 'Strawberry Pudding' - manufactured by Signwin Food Enterprise, Taiwan, were suspected of being contaminated with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).

Health Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that Korean noodles 'Shin Ramen' had also been recalled due to suspicion of having excessive amounts of the cancer-causing plastic addictives di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP).

“We urge consumers to stop eating the noodles which they have bought until the tests by our ministry show that they are free from these contaminants,” Liow said on Saturday.

For further information including on the list of food products involved from Taiwan, you can read about it in these websites, http://moh.gov.my or http://fsq.moh.gov.my

Exposure to DEHP has produced a range of adverse effects in laboratory animals. Of greatest concern are the effects on the development of the male reproductive system and the production of normal sperm in young animals.
- MedicineNet.com

UPDATES (14 JUNE 2011):
Health Ministry said that Korean Noodles 'Shin Ramen' is SAFE for consumption after being tested that it does not contain carcinogen di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).



Source:
Korean noodles ‘Shin Ramen’ recalled for tests: Health Minister
Two more Taiwanese food products recalled

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