Chinese Kids Consuming Too Much Aluminum From Food Additives

Over 30 percent of Chinese kids between the ages of 4-6 are consuming too much of aluminum from food additives, finds a new study.

About 43 percent of this age group eat 1.6 times the maximum daily consumption of aluminum suggested by the World Health Organization, according to a survey conducted by the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment under the Ministry of Health.

Food Additives - Types Functions Miscellaneous Fast Foods Conclusions FAQs
A food additive is a non-nutritive substance added deliberately to any food product to improve its color, texture, flavor or shelf life

Children absorbed the hazardous substance mainly by eating puffed-grain foods, according to the study results, released on Thursday. Exposure to high levels of aluminum may result in respiratory and neurological problems.

Additives containing aluminum are widely used in China's food industry. Flour and flour products including steamed bread, fried dough sticks, and noodles are major sources of the element, said Chen Junshi, a senior expert with the center.

Such additives are allowed in food processing, but producers tend to use more than the required amount to boost taste, Chen added.

Processed Foods - Convenience foods
Processed or convenience foods require less time and energy for food preparation. Most of the processed foods are healthy with nutritional values.

The survey also showed that people living in northern China consume 4.6 times the amount of aluminum taken in by people in southern China, due to the former's dietary preference for flour products.

The country's health authorities are considering stricter regulations on the use of 13 kinds of food additives containing aluminum, according to Chen.

Fact Sheet on Food Poisoning
Consuming foods that have been contaminated with pathogens such as E.coli, Salmonella or Campylobacter, can cause food poisoning.

Source-ANI

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