Borax, with the chemical formula Na2B4O7ยท10H2O, is a white or colorless crystalline substance, which is usually used in glass, enamel, ceramics, welding, anti-corrosion and other industries.
In the glass industry, borax is an important raw material that can be used with materials such as sodium silicate and limestone to make glass. In the enamel and ceramic industry, borax can increase the hardness and durability of the product and improve the quality of the product. In the welding industry, borax can be used as a flux to help make the weld stronger.
If excessive intake of borax can cause symptoms of poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. Long-term exposure to borax may also cause irritation and damage to the eyes and eyes. Therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken when using borax and safe operating procedures should be followed.
In June this year, the Market Supervision Bureau of Liujiang District, Liuzhou City, received complaints from the public, saying that there were illegal pork vendors who sprayed toxic borax on the surface of pork for their own selfish interests, in a vain attempt to keep it fresh.
As soon as this news came out, it immediately attracted the attention of law enforcement officers. Samples of pork sold at pork stalls showed that the borax content of pork was as high as 677mg kg, which was a shocking result.
This is not an isolated case, in fact, it is not uncommon for borax to be added to meat. In September 2022 alone, the Wuzhou Municipal Market Supervision Bureau conducted rapid tests on 70 batches of pork from 15 local pork stalls and found that 33 batches of pork tested positive for borax. The subsequent formal inspection was even more shocking, with 47 batches of pork samples containing borax and 10 stalls involved.
Back on December 30, 2019, the Wuping County Market Supervision Bureau also found a vendor named Chen Zhi Meatball Shop during a routine random inspection, and the meatballs sold by him actually contained borax ingredients. At the material time, the vendor had sold meatballs containing borax for 88 kilograms, with a total of 678 yuan in illegal gains.
First, we need to understand what borax is. Borax is a chemical substance that is commonly used in industrial sectors such as glass, ceramics, paints, etc. In the food industry, borax was also used as a preservative and improver. However, with the increasing health concerns, borax has been banned as a food additive.
The question of whether borax pork is carcinogenic is actually inconclusive. Although borax may produce harmful substances under certain conditions, there is not enough evidence to prove that borax pork is carcinogenic. In fact, many countries have banned the use of borax as a food additive, and China's food safety regulatory authorities have also imposed strict restrictions on the use of borax.
However, we still need to note that food safety is always an issue that we should pay attention to. Although there is no clear conclusion whether borax pork is carcinogenic, we should still choose safe and reliable foods and avoid excessive intake of harmful substances. At the same time, we should also improve our own food safety awareness and understand food safety related knowledge in order to better protect our health.
In conclusion, there is no clear conclusion whether "borax pork" is carcinogenic. We should be vigilant and choose safe and reliable food while strengthening food safety awareness to protect our health.
1. Touch feel
To identify whether the pork we buy is fortified with borax, we can tell by the delicate feel. Healthy pork, without the addition of borax, should feel natural to the touch and not make people feel noticeably slippery. However, once the pork is contaminated with borax, it becomes extremely slippery to the touch and even some tiny particles can be felt.
Borax is often added to pork to make pork balls. Such pork balls will appear very elastic in taste, giving people a unique gastronomic enjoyment. However, this bouncy texture of borax is very different from the taste of healthy pork without the addition of borax.
Therefore, through the detailed touch and taste experience, we can effectively identify whether the pork is fortified with borax. This is not only a guarantee of food safety, but also a responsibility for one's own health.
2. Observe the color
Paying close attention to the color of the pork can reveal whether borax has been added to it. When you see that the pork is gradually dulling in color and losing its original bright luster, it is most likely due to the fact that it has been left for a little longer after fresh slaughter. However, in order to pursue a higher appearance, some unscrupulous merchants will resort to improper means to add borax to pork.
The magic of borax is that it quickly boosts the shine of pork and makes it look more appealing. But this artificial sheen actually obscures the true quality of pork. When you find that the pork is too bright in color and lacks its natural freshness, you should be vigilant, as this is likely to be a sign of borax abuse. Therefore, when buying pork, you must be careful to avoid being deceived by the brilliance on the surface.
The best part of the pig is pork belly. Located in the belly of the pig, the pork belly is layered with fat and lean, making it an excellent choice for cooking pork. During the cooking process of pork belly, the fatty meat is melted by heat, and the lean meat absorbs the soup, which is delicious and rich in flavor, which makes people have an endless aftertaste.
In addition to the pork belly, other parts of the pig also have their own deliciousness. For example, pig's trotters are rich in collagen and have a soft and glutinous taste, which is a good ingredient for beauty and beauty; Pork shoulder and neck meat is tender and suitable for roasting and stewing; Pork tenderloin is the first choice for stir-fry and sweet and sour tenderloin.
In addition to the deliciousness of the meat itself, the combination of cooking methods and condiments can also make the pork more delicious. Traditional dishes such as braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, and stewed pork trotters are all carefully cooked and matched with condiments to bring out the best in the flavor of pork. In addition, the emerging modern cooking methods such as barbecue and pork cutlet have also added more layers to the taste of pork.
In short, each part of the pig has its own unique deliciousness. Whether it's traditional cooking or modern innovation, you can bring out the best in the taste of pork. As one of the most popular meats in the world, the delicacy of pork should not be underestimated.
As long as it is cooked properly, with the right condiments and cooking methods, people can enjoy a delicious pork feast. Whether it's a family dinner or a gathering of friends, a plate of delicious pork delicacies will always be the highlight of the table.