How toxic are the chemicals that turn pork into beef?
Maltol is a very popular flavoring food additive used in food, drinks, perfumes, etc. Recently, there has been information about traders using maltol to “magically” turn pork into beef, bringing it to the market for illegal profits. So how harmful is this chemical to humans?
Maltol identification
Maltol and ethyl maltol were discovered in the 1970s. Initially they were extracted from larch trees, pine needles, chicory wood, oils and roasted malt, but later they could be synthesized artificially.
Maltol is a white powder that is soluble in water, alcohol, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and many other solvents. Maltol has a pleasant caramel aroma and, in diluted solutions, smells like incense. Maltol has a pleasant sweet taste, so it can be used as an artificial sweetener for dieters.
Maltol is a legal flavoring additive.
Because of its special delicious taste, maltol and ethyl maltol are used as “artificial sweetener” additives and flavoring agents for many baked foods such as bread and cakes, as a chocolate substitute, mixed to create fragrance for soft drinks and carbonated drinks, ice cream, candy, jam... in cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and especially in the perfume, perfume industry, etc.
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| Maltol is widely used in confectionery. |
Maltol and ethyl maltol are two legal, internationally accepted flavoring food additives. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that they are safe food additives with code number 21CFR172517, the European Communities/ Scientific Committee of Food (EC/SCF), the Chinese Food Additives Association (CFAA) have all allowed them; In accordance with the provisions of the Food Chemical Code (FCC), the Food Essence Manufacturer Association (FEMA) has code number 3487. In the list of additives allowed for use in food in Vietnam (INS), maltol has code number 636 and ethyl maltol HD6 is numbered 637.
According to regulations, the allowable daily intake (ADI) of maltol additive is 1-2 mg/kg body weight. Some countries prohibit it for infants and young children.
According to the principles of nutrition and food hygiene and safety, the use of foods containing additives, especially when used in excess of the prescribed dose or for a long time, is certainly not good for human health.
There have been scientific reports on the harmful effects of maltol on health such as causing brain tumors, bladder cancer, allergies, asthma... Currently, many countries have regulations prohibiting the use of maltol for infants and children.
At high doses, maltol can help aluminum (Al) cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system and brain, causing Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, nutritionists advise elderly vegetarians to avoid foods containing maltol. Acceptable daily intake (ADI): up to 2 mg/kg body weight.
Some things to discuss
Food additives, if used properly, are essential in food processing. But if used incorrectly or in overdose, they will certainly be harmful.
Businesses that use colorants of unknown origin to turn pork into beef will be guilty of two crimes: (1) counterfeiting products and (2) causing food safety problems.
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| Chinese meat "dye" powder |
In my opinion, maltol is a flavoring additive, and for profit, dishonest traders will certainly use cheap industrial chemicals to “dye” meat and release it to the market. With just a little Chinese additives, the unscrupulous people can “magically” turn anything into… fresh, delicious beef, even as good as American or Australian beef.
Therefore, there are two suggestions: (1) Consumers should buy food of clear origin from reputable establishments and (2) Authorities must have measures to inspect and seriously sanction these harmful business models.
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Dr. Tran Ba Thoai
Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Endocrine Association
According to Dan Tri
