Guangdong people are heartbroken! Is the smooth and chewy rice noodle roll possibly poisonous? Also be careful about these 4 kinds of food →

Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Market Supervision Bureau announced typical cases of maintaining campus food safety and food involving minors in 2024. Among them, some restaurants around schools added "borax" to the raw materials of rice noodle rolls, suspected of operating toxic and harmful foods, and the case has been transferred to the public security organs.

On January 4, 2024, the Qingyuan City Qingcheng District Market Supervision and Administration Bureau inspected a restaurant near a school in Qingyuan City in accordance with the law. A package of a substance labeled "borax" with a net weight of 0.5 kg was found on an operating table in the kitchen of the restaurant. The party admitted that it would add a small amount of the above borax in the production of "rice milk" to make the rice noodle rolls more refreshing and elastic.

Photo/Qingyuan Headlines

The law enforcement officers seized the borax in accordance with the law, and conducted law enforcement sampling inspections on the "rice milk" used by the parties to make "rice rolls", substances labeled "borax", and finished products. After inspection, the "rice milk" and substances labeled "borax" in the sampled batches were found to contain "boric acid".

The parties' behavior violated the relevant provisions of the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and was suspected of constituting the crime of producing and selling toxic and harmful foods. On January 5, 2024, the Qingcheng District Market Supervision Bureau transferred the case to the public security organs for handling in accordance with the law.

Borax is a boron-containing mineral and boron compound that cannot be used to make food. It is a dangerous and toxic chemical raw material, mostly used in the glass and enamel industries. It is one of the non-food substances that are expressly prohibited from being added to food by national laws and regulations. It should be identified as a "toxic and harmful non-food raw material" as stipulated in Article 144 of the Criminal Law.

Boric acid is commonly used in the enamel industry

Borax has the function of increasing the toughness and crispness of food and improving the water retention and preservation of food. Adding it to food can play the role of anti-corrosion, adding elasticity and expansion. However, it is very harmful to human health. Continuous intake will accumulate in the body, hinder the action of digestive tract enzymes, cause loss of appetite, indigestion, inhibit nutrient absorption, promote fat decomposition, and thus cause weight loss. The symptoms of acute poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, erythema, circulatory system disorders, shock, coma, etc.

If the human body ingests excessive amounts of borax, it will cause cumulative poisoning of multiple organs. The toxic dose of borax for adults is 1-3 grams, the lethal dose for adults is 15 grams, and the lethal dose for infants is 2-3 grams.

(1) Zongzi

Because borax is alkaline, adding it to rice dumplings can make the taste better.

Identification method:

Zongzi with added borax will be chewier than normal ones. The rice grains are larger and less likely to stick to the zongzi leaves. They feel very slippery when peeled.

(2) Pork

Unscrupulous vendors smear borax on pork to preserve freshness, prevent odor and dehydration.

Identification method:

The pork with borax feels very smooth to the touch, and the color is darker than that of normal fresh pork. If it is just applied, a careful person may also see white powder attached, which smells slightly alkaline.

(3) Cold noodles and noodles

Adding borax to cold noodles can make the color look more appetizing and taste better.

Identification method:

The cold skin and noodles with added borax have a chewier texture, a bright yellow color on the surface, and are not easy to break during transportation.

(4) Bean curd sticks

If borax is added to yuba, it will look better and last longer.

Identification method:

The yuba with borax added has a better appearance, is not easy to mold and deteriorate, has high toughness, and will not rot after long cooking. You can pay more attention when soaking. If the soaking water is turbid, has precipitation and is rough, it is possible that borax has been added.

In addition, using pH test paper for testing is also an effective method. Dip the test paper on the food suspected of containing borax. If the color of the test paper changes, especially turning blue, it indicates that borax may have been added to the food.

Although the above method cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, it can be used as a means of rapid screening in daily life.

When you buy food

Try to choose

A reputable brand with food safety certification

at the same time

Pay attention to the appearance, taste and smell of food

Avoid buying unusual foods

This is the end of this issue

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