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Popular snack in Myanmar tainted with chemical dye
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by Suranee | March 29, 2009 at 05:34 am
209 views | 12 Recommendations | 4 comments
Myanmar's Health Ministry has banned food products that have been found to have Auramine O which is a chemical used to "dye cotton, wool, silk and leather."
The Ministry says that when foods containing Auramine O are consumed for a long period of time, it "could be harmful to the liver and kidneys and cause cancer."
A doctor from the Health Ministry's Food and Drug Administration said chemical dyes are widely used in Myanmar in items such as bamboo shoots, chili powder, dried meat, soft drinks, certain beans, popular snacks such as preserved fruits and sometimes in raw fish and seafood. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The production or sale of harmful food is punishable by up to three years in prison, but enforcement is not strict, the doctor said.
A news report last week said 105 food producers have received warnings about using harmful chemicals.
"The problem we're facing now is worse than the impact of melamine-tainted milk powder because chemical dye is used in a lot of food in Myanmar, including junk food and snacks eaten at schools by young children," said Than Htut Aung, a publisher and editor of several news weeklies in Myanmar.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 05:51 on March 29th, 2009
In the United States I cannot believe the amount of coloring that is added to many foods. I remember when they outlawed red dye #4. The simply found a substitute red dye and used it instead. I read every label and avoid all food dyes most of the time. What are they needed for? The offer no nutritional value.
at 06:09 on March 29th, 2009
I guess the one reason dye is added to food is to make it look more appealing. It's good that you read every label and try to avoid foods that contain dye RoryKearney. I try to do the same.
We had a problem here with dairy products being tainted with melamine last year. Now I no longer buy that variety of dairy products. But there are still so many people here in Sri lanka who still buy it.
at 18:09 on March 29th, 2009
I am amazed at the food coloring people eat and allow their children to consume on a daily basis. Totally devoid of nutrition, just looks pretty. All of our governments should ban these substances. Food coloring also supposedly causes hyperactivity. Next the parents medicate the children after giving them caffeinated, sugar filled, colored drinks, because they act out.
I saw that about the melamine. The amount of corruption in the world knows no limits.
at 18:34 on March 29th, 2009
You're right RoryKearney, parents tend to allow their kids to eat foods that are not so healthy for them. I'm guilty too of allowing my kids to eat such food at times. That's why I rarely take them grocery shopping with me because they usually fill the shopping cart with a couple of their favorite junk food.
I'm not sure if my government will ever ban foods that are imported into Sri lanka which is not safe to eat. The company that sold the milk products containing melamine is still in business and their products are sold all over Sri lanka.
I totally agree with you when you say "the amount of corruption in the world knows no limits." I guess it will always be this way for a very long time unless people change for the better and don't depend on corruption to get what they want in life.