Tuesday, May 29, 2007Thanh Nien News (Hanoi, Vietnam)
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health announced Monday the names of seven more city-based companies whose soy sauces have dangerous levels of 3-MCPD, a carcinogen.
They are the Tam Ky, Me Kong, Vinh Phuoc, Khuong Phat, Bach Thao, Miwon Vietnam, and Hau Sanh.
Earlier this month the health watchdog blacklisted 10 companies, fined them over VND100 million (US$6,250) in all, and took their products off the market.
The public is, however, outraged that the agency discovered many sauces containing the carcinogen back in 2001 but did not report it until recently, endangering their health.
Local media reported that in November 2001 the department found 15 samples in the city with carcinogen levels 23 to 5,600 times higher than permitted limits.
But at a press conference Saturday, Nguyen Duc An, chief health inspector, said the results had not been released until recently because there had been no regulations on 3-MCPD in the past. He also denied bribery allegations.
3-MCPD could cause cancer and affect fertility.
Reported by Thanh Tung - Translated by A.N.O.N
They are the Tam Ky, Me Kong, Vinh Phuoc, Khuong Phat, Bach Thao, Miwon Vietnam, and Hau Sanh.
Earlier this month the health watchdog blacklisted 10 companies, fined them over VND100 million (US$6,250) in all, and took their products off the market.
The public is, however, outraged that the agency discovered many sauces containing the carcinogen back in 2001 but did not report it until recently, endangering their health.
Local media reported that in November 2001 the department found 15 samples in the city with carcinogen levels 23 to 5,600 times higher than permitted limits.
But at a press conference Saturday, Nguyen Duc An, chief health inspector, said the results had not been released until recently because there had been no regulations on 3-MCPD in the past. He also denied bribery allegations.
3-MCPD could cause cancer and affect fertility.
Reported by Thanh Tung - Translated by A.N.O.N
