You can't get fat during the Spring Festival
In the current food safety environment, there is a growing public concern about food additives. Among them, sodium metabisulfite, as a common food additive, has been controversial in safety. This article will provide an in-depth review of the safety of sodium metabisulfite from a scientific point of view, in order to help the public understand the true face of this substance.
First of all, we need to understand what sodium metabisulfite is. Sodium metabisulfite, with the chemical formula Na2S2O5, is a white or light yellow crystalline powder with strong oxidation resistance. In the food industry, it is mainly used for bleaching, preservatives, and antioxidants, such as in products such as flour, sugar, beverages, seafood, etc.
So, is sodium metabisulfite really that scary? The answer is no. In fact, sodium metabisulfite is safe for reasonable use. According to China's "Hygienic Standards for the Use of Food Additives", the amount of sodium metabisulfite used in food is clearly regulated, for example, the maximum amount used in flour is 50mg kg. This means that as long as the dosage is controlled within the specified range, sodium metabisulfite will not cause obvious harm to the human body.
In addition, the safety of sodium metabisulfite has also been recognized by international authorities. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex Alimentarius Commission), jointly established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), lists sodium metabisulfite as a food additive and strictly limits its use. In China, sodium metabisulfite is also included in the "Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives" (GB 2760), and the scope and limit of its use are clearly stipulated.
However, we also need to recognize that excessive intake of any substance can have adverse effects on human health. Therefore, while enjoying food, we should also pay attention to the use of food additives and maintain a reasonable diet.
It is worth noting that in recent years, some food companies have neglected food safety and overused food additives in order to pursue profits. This behavior not only violates food safety regulations, but also poses a potential threat to the health of consumers. Therefore, strengthening food safety supervision and cracking down on illegal acts is an important measure to ensure the food safety of the masses.
As consumers, how can we tell if there is an excess sodium metabisulfite added to food? First, you can check the ingredient list on the food packaging to see if the food contains sodium metabisulfite. Secondly, it can be judged by observing the appearance characteristics of the food such as color and smell. If you find that the color of the food is too bright, or there is a pungent odor, it may be that too much sodium metabisulfite has been added, and it should be avoided at this time.
Finally, we need to establish a correct concept of food safety. Food safety is not an absolute concept, but a relative risk management process. While enjoying food, we should pay attention to the use of food additives and maintain a reasonable diet structure to reduce food safety risks.
In conclusion, sodium metabisulfite is not that terrible. Within the scope of fair use, it does not cause obvious harm to the human body. However, we should also be wary of the excessive use of food additives by some companies to ensure food safety. As consumers, we need to learn to identify whether excessive sodium metabisulfite is added to food, and maintain a reasonable diet to ensure our health. At the same time, the relevant departments should also strengthen food safety supervision, crack down on illegal acts, and provide a safe food environment for the masses.
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