More Taiwanese food products recalled in Singapore
CNA 2013-06-01 16:55
A factory making Sun Chi noodles, one of the products named in the recall. (Photo/Tsao Ting-ting)
Four more starch-based food products from Taiwan have been ordered off shelves in Singapore after they were found to contain maleic acid.
The products are green tea tapioca balls and yam tapioca balls sold under the Full Free label, and Long Kow vegetarian instant rice noodle and rice noodle with thick soup, according to a statement issued Friday by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore.
"AVA has informed the importers of the affected products to withdraw them from sale immediately and withdrawal has been completed," the statement said.
"Consumers who have bought these products should either return them to the retailer or discard them and not consume them," it said.
Earlier in the week, 11 Taiwanese products were recalled in the city state because of maleic acid contamination.
They included seven tapioca ball products from the brands Redman, Top 1, Tea World, Ding Long, T&M Resources, and Pure Tea, as well an unbranded tapioca ball product.
Also on the list were Hong brand tapioca starch, Sun Right indica rice powder and Sun Chi noodles.
The AVA said it is continuing with its surveillance of products from Taiwan.
It warned that long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid can cause kidney damage, although occasional consumption at the levels detected does not pose any significant health risk.
The chemical was detected recently in popular Taiwanese food products such as rice noodles, hotpot ingredients and tapioca balls.
The substance has been traced to a modified starch containing maleic anhydride, a chemical used in the production of food packing materials.
Maleic anhydride is transformed into maleic acid when mixed with water and is not permitted to be used in Taiwan in modified starches.
