Vinastas surveyed more than 100 samples of fish sauce showed total arsenic levels exceeded the threshold. However, they do not detect inorganic arsenic (which is toxic), and so fish sauce is still safe to consumers.
This afternoon, the Vietnam Standards and Consumer Protection Association in collaboration with Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations has announced the results of survey and inspection of fish sauce samples taken in 10 provinces and cities. city.
According to Pham Van Tan, Vice President and Secretary General of Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association, fish sauce has always been an indispensable ingredient for Vietnamese family life.
However, not everyone understands and correctly understand the nutrient composition, safety of the fish sauce when put into use.
In addition, it is worrying now that consumers do not have much information to choose when buying fish sauce except for the information the manufacturer has on the label.
Before that situation, recently the Association of Standards and Consumer Protection Vietnam conducted the program of quality survey of bottled fish sauce marketed in 10 provinces in the country.
The Association has taken samples for survey of labeling contents and groups of chemical criteria on the composition and safety of fish sauce such as: chemical composition (nitrogen, nitrogen, amino acids, ammonia nitrogen) The amount of heavy metals (arsenic), salt content.
About protein
Specifically, 150 samples of bottled fish sauce with total nitrogen content of 10g / l to 60g / l of 88 fish sauce brands were purchased directly at distribution agents, supermarkets , Trade centers, retail markets and specialty shops.
According to the contents on the label, these samples are produced from establishments located in 19 provinces / cities nationwide and 1 sample fish sauce from Thailand.
The results showed that 125/150 samples had at least one of the five indicators of the above surveyed group that did not meet the standard or the label.
Among them, 51% of the samples have a lower total nitrogen index than those published on the label; 20% sample did not meet nitrogen amino acid criteria; 2% sample did not meet nitrogen ammonia.
Of the 51% of samples mentioned above, up to 15% of the samples have a difference of over 40%.
About arsenic content
Mr. Vuong Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Secretary General of Vietnam Standards and Consumers Protection Association said that in accordance with QCVN 8-2: 2011 / BYT, the concentration of inorganic arsenic contained in the maximum sauce Is 1.0mg / l.
Total arsenic test results showed that 101/150 samples (67.33%) did not meet the requirement of QCVN. In particular, the total arsenic content of samples ranged from 1.0mg / l to over 5mg / l.
Total arsenic includes organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is bad for the body and organic arsenic is not.
No inorganic arsenic means that the fish sauce is not harmful to the health of consumers.
However, when testing 20 samples out of the total arsenic exceeded thresholds, no inorganic arsenic (with a detection limit of 0.01 mg / l) was detected.
The survey also showed that the samples of fish sauce with higher protein levels, the proportion of samples with total arsenic levels exceeded the specified threshold increased, specifically 95.65% of the samples have a protein level of 40 degrees It was assessed to have arsenic levels in excess of the specified threshold.
From the above results, the Vietnam Standards and Consumer Protection Association recommends early management agencies to issue specific regulations on the nature of fish sauce being produced and circulated in the domestic market.
At the same time, it is necessary to intensify the inspection on quality, production process and contents of fish sauce labeling and strictly handle violations in order to ensure the interests of consumers.
On the other hand, measures must be taken to strengthen the management of the disclosure of information on the label of the enterprise's products; Transparent information for consumers on the nature of fish sauce products.
According to the event: After the announcement, scientists have stated that the fish sauce in the samples is "safe" because there is no inorganic arsenic, and organic arsenic is not harmful. With such content.
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