Some sauces cause cancer — Roxas

Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas warned consumers yesterday against using 22 brands of seasoning and sauces imported from China, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore found containing a high level of the chemical 3-MCPD.

Roxas, in a statement, said he issued the alert after receiving reports that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom listed these 22 brands as having high levels that could cause cancer if taken daily.

Malaysia has withdrawn these brands from groceries and supermarkets, while Australia and New Zealand have banned imports of some soy and oyster sauces, the reports said.

The products listed by UK FSA were Golden Mountain, King Imperial, Pearl River Bridge, Jammy Chai, Wanjashan, Golden Mark, Kimlan, Lee Kum Kee (Hong Kong), Tung Chun, Sinsin and Golden Swan.

The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) of the Department of Health has been notified by Roxas to make its own tests.

Pending the results, Roxas considered it best to advise consumers about the risks involved in using these brands with most of their oriental meals on a daily basis over a long period of time.

The substance 3-MCPD contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) commonly used in food products worldwide.

Malaysia, according to news reports, has removed these 22 brands of sauce and seasoning products from groceries and supermarkets.