Safeguards Benzopyrene Contamination in Korean
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SAFEGUARDS SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES FOOD NO. 187/12 NOV 2012 BENZOPYRENE CONTAMINATION IN KOREAN INSTANT NOODLE On 25 Oct 2012, Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) recalled six instant noodle products from the nation’s largest ramen maker in South Korea because these products were found to be tainted with benzo(a) pyrene, which is a known carcinogen.1 Several countries, including Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and China, have been alerted to this and as a precaution, have removed these products from their shelves. Benzo(a)pyrene belongs to the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most PAHs derive from incomplete burning of carbon containing materials such as petroleum fuels, wood, and garbage. The occurrence of PAHs in foods is mainly caused by environmental contamination (water, air and soil), food processing (direct drying and heating), and packaging materials. PAHs have been found in different food products, such as dairy products, vegetables, fruits, oil, coffee, tea, cereals, smoked meat, seafood products, ingredients for food formulation, seasoning, and instant noodles. announcement of the test results and the recall order because the levels of In June, the KFDA conducted tests on benzopyrene found in the noodle products in June were minuscule and not harmful, 30 instant noodle products sold in the South Korean agency reported. However, the KFDA issued the recall order after South Korea and found that six its commissioner Lee Hee-sung was pressed on the matter during a legislative products contained benzopyrene, with question-and-answer, the report indicated.2 one product containing the highest level of 4.7 parts per billion (µg/kg). The 11http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/724.pdf 2 cancer-causing substance was found in http://foodsafety.suencs.com/archives/24421 3 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:215:0004:0008:EN:PDF the powdered seasonings in the noodle 4 http://www.ecns.cn/2012/10-30/32793.shtml products. The KFDA said it had delayed 5 http://www.fda.gov.ph/Advisory/DOH-FDAADVISORY2012011.pdf FOOD NO. 187/12 NOV 2012 P.2 To protect the health of consumers in the European Union, the Commission establish in regulation (EC) No. 835/2011, the maximum levels of PAHs in food stuffs. This regulation established a standard for benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four main PAH compounds: benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene. Instant noodles and seasoning are classified as smoked food. Therefore, the maximum levels of benzo(a)pyrene has been established at 5 µg/kg.3 Many countries in Asia like Thailand and South Korea have also set the benzo(a)pyrene limitation at the same level as established in the EU regulation.4 Other countries such as Philippines have a higher limit of 10 µg/kg.5 SGS is committed to keeping you informed of regulation news and developments. Leveraging our global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions including analytical tests, audits, certifications, inspections and technical support. We continually invest in our testing capabilities and state-of-the-art technology to help you reduce risk, improve food safety and quality. For further more information, please visit our website www.foodsafety.sgs.com FOR ENQUIRIES: © 2012 SGS SA. All rights reserved. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties’ contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd Global Competence Support Centre: [email protected] parties contents. This publication is intended to provide TH– Amornpun Dajsiripun Tel: +66 2 683 0541 ext 2413 or [email protected] technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or Asia – Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2334 4481 Fax: +852 2144 7001 [email protected] applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute Australasia – Perth. Tel: +61 (0) 3 9790 3418 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9701 0988 [email protected] consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided “as is” and SGS does not warrant that it will Europe – London – UK. Tel: +44(0) 203 008 7860 Fax: +44 (0) 203 00 7870 [email protected] be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance Africa & Middle East – Turkey. Tel: +90 212 368 40 00 Fax: +90 212 296 47 82 [email protected] or quality. Do not quote or refer any information herein without Americas – USA. Tel: +1 973 575 5252 Fax: +1 973 575 7175 [email protected] SGS’s prior written consent. www.sgs.com/cts Global Competence Support Centre: [email protected] If you wish to unsubscribe to this technical bulletin, go here: Unsubscribe .