‘Benzoyl peroxide in wheat flour below permitted level, thus safe’

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KUALA LUMPUR: Monitoring by the Ministry of Health (MOH)  found that the benzoyl peroxide in various brands of wheat flour in the market is below the permitted level and thus safe for use in food in certain amount as set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the international body established under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, had authorised the use of benzoyl peroxide in wheat flour at not more than 75 milligrammes(mg)/kilogramme (kg).

“The use of benzoyl peroxide as additive in wheat flour is also allowed in Japan and the United States while the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code allows it to be used in all foods,” he said in a statement here, yesterday.

On Jan 16, a local newspaper reported about the use of benzoyl peroxide in wheat flour and quoted the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) as saying it could affect public health.

Dr Noor Hisham said the MOH would not hesitate to act and protect the health of consumers if there was scientific proof that materials in food were harmful to the health.

“This includes reviewing any existing food regulations under the Food Regulations 1985. The MOH is constantly monitoring food security issues.  Consumers with doubts about food safety issues can contact the District Health Office or the State Health Department or via their website at http://moh.spab.gov.my) or the Facebook of the Food Safety and Quality Division at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq). — Bernama