VietNamNet Bridge – With DEHP recently being found in several foodstuffs to public alarm, the Ministry of Health has said it will regulate the maximum quantity the carcinogenic chemical can be present in food.

More products with carcinogenic DEHP detected in Vietnam

But since Vietnam has not done its own studies on DEHP, the ministry will adopt World Health Organization standards, Nguyen Cong Khan, head of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department, told the media yesterday.

The WHO safe level for DEHP content in food is 8 ppt (parts per trillion), while in the US, it is 6 ppt.

Khan told Tuoi Tre the risk remained low since the items containing the substance are not for daily consumption.

The recall of jellies from the market is complete while the withdrawal of contaminated beverages, syrups, and candies are under way, he said.

The three candies tainted with DEHP are Marshies vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate candies imported from the Philippines by Hamico Co Ltd based in Ho Chi Minh City, he said.

More than 2,100 packs of the candies have been sealed at Hamico’s warehouse and the company has been ordered to recall 100 packages that have been distributed.

Red apple, grape, and litchi syrups that were imported by the city-based Gia Thinh Phat Co Ltd from Taiwan’s Ye Yen Ge Co Ltd have also been found to contain DEHP.

The company has been asked to withdraw 1,077 bottles of syrups that have been delivered to 46 shops in the city.

A few days ago New Choice Foods Company in HCMC’s neighboring province of Binh Duong completed its recall of 3,582 packages of taro-flavored jellies from around the nation after the product was found to contain DEHP, he said.

DEHP, or diethylhexylphthalate, is a general-purpose plasticizer used mainly to make PVC soft and pliable.

It also finds its way into jelly, yogurt mix powder, juices, and other drinks to keep emulsions dispersed.

DEHP causes cancer, weakens male sexual ability, and causes female puberty disorder, the HCMC Health Department said.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre