A potentially harmful bleaching agent and disinfectant, hydrogen
peroxide, has reportedly been found in calcium tablets produced by
Beijing-based Juneng New Technology Co.
The manufacturer claimed on Thursday that it may be a plot to
taint the company's reputation.
Henan Commercial News reports that the tablets contain
a large amount of hydrogen peroxide remnant?that could cause
cancer if ingested in sufficient quantities.
The newspaper said they had received tip-offs from readers in
mid October and bought seven bottles of different calcium products
sold by the company to undergo testing at the Agricultural Products
Quality Supervision Center under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Reports showed that four of the products contained hydrogen
peroxide remnant.
Juneng Co. announced on Thursday that the production and sale of
their calcium products have been approved by state health
authorities and that they have all passed safety tests.
The announcement said reports by Henan Commercial News
were misleading and that the company will defend its reputation
through legal means.
State Drug and Food Administration officials said they are
preparing to investigate the case, the Beijing Times
reports.
On Wednesday, the newspaper quoted Zhang Xingyuan, the general
manager of Tianjin Juneng Chemistry, a subsidiary of Juneng Co.,
saying their calcium products did indeed use hydrogen peroxide as a
raw material but that they underwent toxin checks conducted by
state health authorities.
Zhang said a major ingredient was L-threonate, a chemical agent
made from raw materials including hydrogen peroxide.
"Ingestion of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide will not damage
human health," Zhang told the Beijing Times.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful oxidizers commonly
used for the treatment of water and hazardous waste.
Longtime exposure can cause ulcers, vomiting and may even lead
to types of cancer, medical experts said.
Food additive standards strictly regulate the application of
hydrogen peroxide to food and prohibit any remnant in food
products.
Calcium tablets are a popular gift in China.
(China Daily November 19, 2004)
