International Food Packaging Association: Mooncake trays easily precipitate plasticizers

On the 14th, the International Food Packaging Association also pointed out the hidden dangers of moon cakes and pointed out that the moon cakes used in the market were not labeled with materials, and many moon cakes were made of PVC (PVC) materials, and plasticizers that are harmful to the human body were easily precipitated. More hidden dangers.

There are no relevant regulations for the materials used in moon cake trays

It is understood that there is no specific provision in our country for what materials should be used for moon cakes.

The reporter visited and looked at some packaging moon cakes on the 14th. In the packaging of the gift boxes and on the packaging of single moon cakes, the material description of the moon cake trays could not be seen. From the appearance, only the plastics were known, and the moon cakes were placed directly on the moon cake trays. . When asked about the material of moon cakes, the sales staff only said that there was no problem, but I couldn't say exactly what the plastic material was. "It has always been so wrapped. I never heard of any insecurity." Staff said.

In August and September, the International Food Packaging Association conducted investigations and tests on Beijing's six kinds of moon cake packaging. It was found that the two brands of mooncake trays were made of PVC, but the test results showed that plasticizers did not separate out from the mooncake trays.

Dong Jinshi, general secretary of the association, introduced that when PVC is used in food packaging, plasticizers must be added. Moon cakes are oily foods. The plasticizers contained in plastics are more likely to be precipitated when they are exposed to grease, and the higher the temperature, the more precipitated. Other materials like PS (polystyrene), PP (polypropylene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), when used in food packaging, do not necessarily add plasticizers. Compared to PVC, security risks smaller.

"Plasticizers are not routine testing items"

Dong Jinshi pointed out that some plasticizers can cause male fertility to decline, affecting the secretion of hormones from fetuses and infants, leading to precocious puberty among children. The fact is, "Moon cakes and moon cakes will not detect plasticizers in routine routine tests."

In response to the material issue of moon cakes, Professor Zou Mingguo of Sichuan University’s Institute of Precision Chemicals had previously said in an interview with television media that the hidden dangers of using mooncakes for PVC were greatest. Once the human body ingests too much plasticizer, there is a hidden danger of cancer.

Some experts also said that there is no need to panic on this issue.

An expert in food safety testing told reporters last night that fats in moon cakes may react with plasticizers in poor moon cakes. However, even if the moon cakes contain plasticizers, the content is limited and the amount of precipitation is limited. This has little effect on human health.

Tips

How to identify the material?

Dong Jinshi, general secretary of the International Food Packaging Association, pointed out that, in general, the risk of insecure mooncake trays is large, while white and transparent ones are not made of recycled plastics. Relatively speaking, the safety factor is higher.

Consumers can check the mooncakes against the lights and sunlight. If there are obvious impurities in the mooncakes, dark spots and uneven color, it is very likely that they are recycled plastics.

Odorous smell is also very dangerous.

For moon cake tray material, you can also carry out some combustion experiments to identify

PVC: The moon cake of this material will have a pungent odor when burned. It will be inflammable after leaving the fire source, emitting black smoke and not dripping oil.

PS: The moon cake tray is flammable. After leaving the fire source, it continues to burn. The flame is orange and accompanied by a large amount of black smoke. The burning plastic foams and emits a special styrene monomer odor.

PP: When the moon cake is burning, the flame is yellow and blue, the smell is like oil, and it melts and falls without black smoke.

PET: There is a small amount of black smoke burning, a little bit of wine, a drop of oil.