What caused the well-known instant noodles to exceed the standard?

On August 7, the International Food Packaging Association released an investigation report on instant noodle barrels, tea cups, disposable cups, and paper bowls. Many well-known brands, including Xiangpiao Piaofei Tea Cup and Jinmailang Shangpinu Pork Ribs, are known. The content of the fluorescent whitening agent in the outer paper of the double-layer paper product used by the brand exceeded the standard.

It is reported that fluorescent whitening agent is a complex organic compound that can excite incident light to produce fluorescence, so that the dyed material can get a sparkling effect similar to that of fluorite, so that the substance seen by the naked eye is very white and achieves whitening effect. However, fluorescent substances will accumulate in the human body, greatly reducing human immunity and endangering human health. Once in the human body, if the dose reaches a certain level, it is very likely that the cells will become cancerous and cause cancer.

This substance should not be unfamiliar to companies because in June 2011, the “Blue Moon” was indicted for containing a fluorescent agent for carcinogens. The incident has caused a lot of attention. Although it was finally confirmed that the Blue Moon product was qualified, this substance also entered the eyes of consumers. Therefore, Xiao Bian has reason to believe that the consequences of the addition of fluorescent brighteners are well known to many companies. Then, in such circumstances, what makes the company insist on using this packaging?

Profit-cost drive - low cost of waste paper packaging

According to the analysis of relevant experts, since most instant noodle barrels and tea cups are hot, they are generally double-layered, so the paper inside and outside the layers is different. The reason why the outer layer of fluorescent substances exceeds the standard is likely to be the use of non-food grade paper or even from unknown sources of waste paper.

It is not difficult to guess that a small series of companies use fluorescent packaging is an important reason for the cost and profit. Sure enough, after investigation, it has been found that the price of food-grade raw paper is generally more than 10,000 yuan per ton, while the price of recycled paper is generally about 5,000 yuan per ton, and the cost difference is more than double.

Standard free-drillable—Double-layer paper inspection regulations are not clear

Experts said that although the unification of other brands of fluorescent substances can be judged to be a violation of the rules, but the country's provisions on the double-wrapped packaging do exist.

Although the “Regulations for the Hygiene Management of Raw Paper for Food Packaging” clearly states that “the raw paper for food packaging must not use social recycled waste paper as a raw material, it is forbidden to add fluorescent whitening agents and other harmful auxiliaries,” it is also clearly stated that the “management scope refers to Various food packaging base papers that directly contact foods."

The International Food Packaging Association believes that the current domestic standards adopt a unified standard for inner and outer paper, but there is no provision for packaging paper that is not in direct contact with food. This has become the industry's outer carton or the use of waste paper materials. One reason.

It can be seen that incomplete standards and low costs are still important reasons why companies disregard consumer safety. In this regard, Xiao Bian wants to call on the major well-known companies not only to focus on the immediate interests and "find them", otherwise, once found, injuring the brand image and hurting the feelings of consumers, it may not be worth the candle.