KUALA LUMPUR: The exposure of glycidyl fatty acid esters (GEs) and 3-MCPD (3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) esters - which can possibly cause cancer through the intake of margarine - among Malaysian consumers is low and does not pose any health risk.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry, via its Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM), had monitored the content of GEs and 3-MCPD esters on several margarine products in the country.
“However, there is no clear scientific information on the percentage of GE content in food that can be turned into glycidol in the intestine to date.
“Glycidol is a substance that is a result of the decomposition of GEs in the intestine. It is a type of contaminants detected in all kinds of vegetable oils and fats which are produced during the filtration process at high temperatures above 240°C,” he said in a statement.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry noted an online portal report dated April 16, entitled ‘Shocking Analysis Reveals Cancer-Causing Substances in these Brands of Margarine’ via https://www.worldofbuzz.com/shocking-analysis-reveals-cancer-causing-sub....
The article reported that the Hong Kong Consumer Council discovered 18 margarine brands available in the Hong Kong market containing glycidol (epoxy propanol) while 16 other brands containing the 3-MCPD.
Dr Noor Hisham said consumers with concerns over food safety issues could contact the nearest state health department or district health office or the Health Ministry through its website at http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Facebook page of the BKKM at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.
-- BERNAMA