Food

MPIC Responds to Food Watchdog's Carcinogen Findings in Biscuits

The Malaysian Ministry of Primary Industries and Commodities (MPIC) responded to the Hong Kong Consumer Council’s (HKCC) announcement that cancer-causing substances were present in all 60 biscuit products sampled. According to the ministry, the monitoring of contaminants in finished food products are beyond the scope of both MPIC and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB); the authority lies with the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Interestingly, Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah previously released a statement in response to HKCC’s findings, asserting that health risks from cancer-causing substances in Malaysian-made biscuits are low, with the average level of acrylamide found in locally biscuit products falling well below the amount recommended by the European Union Commission Regulation, but did not quantify the same for glycidols.

According to the HKCC, cancer-causing substances were detected in all 60 samples sampled, including Hup Seng Special Cream Crackers, Oreo Mini Oreo Original, and Jacob’s Original Cream Crackers.

On the matter of the food watchdog’s findings itself, MPIC made clear its dissatisfaction. It claims that “it is very unfair for the Hong Kong Consumer Council to pinpoint palm oil as the main cause of high acrylamide content in finished products [even though] other oils may also give similar products.” The Ministry referred to various studies, including those that found that the substance is present in high-temperature manufacturing processes regardless of the oil used.

Some palm oil industry insiders wondered at “passing the buck to MOH,” pondering if MPOB should proactively identify any problematic supplies of shortening and bakery/confectionery fats to the local biscuit manufacturers sampled by HKCC as well as conduct more random product testing at retail stores. At the same time, there are those who remain sceptical of an unproven health risk while others are concerned about conspiracies seeking to tarnish the reputation of palm oil.

Nevertheless, public concern has spread. Singapore’s food agency has come out to say that biscuits are safe to consume in moderation and that it is “impossible” to prevent occurrence of certain compounds.

Cancer-Causing Substances Detected in 60 Biscuits

On Monday, the Hong Kong Consumer Council announced that it has detected alleged cancer-causing substances in all 60 biscuit products sampled. The consumer watchdog revealed that at least one of the main chemical culprits—glycidol and acrylamide—are present in each products tested including Hup Seng Special Cream Crackers, Ritz Crackers Cheese Flavoured Sandwich, and Oreo Mini Oreo Original. 3-MCPD was also detected in 56 products tested. The problems are associated with food manufacturing processes involving high temperatures.

51 products sampled were also found to have high fat, sugar, and/or sodium contents. 24 products also have misleading nutrition labels


Our comment

The news has predictably ignited food safety worries from Hong Kong on snacks with levels of acrylamide (to do with potato and other starch, mitigate by washing ingredient) and glycidol (to do with palm oil, mitigate by washing and/or chemical processing), with a problem of sugar and salt similarly mentioned. The findings has also triggered a reaction from health authorities in Malaysia (and probably elsewhere soon) to do testing too.

How many biscuits to be at risk? For a 60kg person, the industry says 18kg biscuits, presumably on a typical amount of the contentious compounds. However, on the worst findings, the media is pointing to a max of three and eight pieces a day for a child and adult respectively. This should also provide a push for high food grade ingredients.

Knives Out? A Nibble on Food and Diet Habits

We became curious about the seemingly rising trend of diets and food consumption, in light of the growing public concern about personal health and more. With the help of 100 Khor Reports network and friends, we managed to tease out a picture on the current dietary habits and snooped around a little for views from young professionals.

Click here to read our findings!