Hidden dangers in the box that held your food
By Wang Qingchu |
January 22, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HALF the 15 billion disposable food containers used in China every year fail to meet quality standards, and some are made from toxic or industrial materials which could endanger life, it is claimed.
In a bid to ensure a higher profit margin, many producers use substandard raw materials and additives, putting consumers' health at risk, according to a report by the Hong Kong-based International Food Packaging Association, China National Radio reported yesterday.
There are more than 100 disposable container manufacturers in Beijing, but just dozens have a sanitation certificate and more than half of those don't have business licenses, said Dong Jinshi, secretary-general of the IFPA. Some certified producers also used inferior materials to reduce costs, Dong added.
Cancer-inducing industrial materials, such as wax and talcum powder, are widely used, Dong said.
Other makers were using recycled plastics whose sources varied.
Some were from packaging of cosmetics or medical instruments. Some were even from pesticide packaging.
Although some producers obtained a certificate to make containers, they didn't always meet the quality standard, which led to a situation where fewer than 60 percent of products sold in the market reached the requirement, Dong told the state radio.
Dong said loopholes in supervision were partly to blame for widespread low quality. The commerce and industry, quality supervision and health authorities failed to effectively spot violations and impose punishment as they just passed the buck to each other, Dong said.
In a bid to ensure a higher profit margin, many producers use substandard raw materials and additives, putting consumers' health at risk, according to a report by the Hong Kong-based International Food Packaging Association, China National Radio reported yesterday.
There are more than 100 disposable container manufacturers in Beijing, but just dozens have a sanitation certificate and more than half of those don't have business licenses, said Dong Jinshi, secretary-general of the IFPA. Some certified producers also used inferior materials to reduce costs, Dong added.
Cancer-inducing industrial materials, such as wax and talcum powder, are widely used, Dong said.
Other makers were using recycled plastics whose sources varied.
Some were from packaging of cosmetics or medical instruments. Some were even from pesticide packaging.
Although some producers obtained a certificate to make containers, they didn't always meet the quality standard, which led to a situation where fewer than 60 percent of products sold in the market reached the requirement, Dong told the state radio.
Dong said loopholes in supervision were partly to blame for widespread low quality. The commerce and industry, quality supervision and health authorities failed to effectively spot violations and impose punishment as they just passed the buck to each other, Dong said.
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