Scary Plasticiser

China recently responded to the threat of food adulteration (and the subsequent loss of valuable export markets) with the introduction of strict new laws, including the death penalty for some offences.

Now Taiwan is seeking jail sentences of up to 25 years for four people accused of selling banned chemicals to food makers. The use of industrial plasticizers (or as we in the UK say, “plasticisers”) has been widespread for 20 years according to some estimates but was only discovered by Taiwanese inspectors last month. They are used to replace more traditional but expensive emulsifiers such as palm oil or gum arabic, and they also extend the shelf-life of products such as cakes, bread, ice cream and multivitamin tablets.

The main culprit is DEHP, alias bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate or di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and when found in food and drink can be carcinogenic. However, it accumulates in the body and can lead to kidney or testicular damage and also fertility problems if consumed regularly, especially by children.