BANGKOK, March 14 (TNA) – The Food and Drug Administration found the harmful content of nitrate and benzoic acid in sausages and blamed them for the illnesses of many children who ate such substandard products.
FDA deputy secretary-general Weerachai Nolwachai said his organization took action after the Poison Center of Ramathibodi Hospital found 14 children suffering methemoglobinemia after consuming unbranded sausages in eight provinces namely Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi, Saraburi, Trang, Phayao, Songkhlra, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Kanchanaburi.
Officials of the FDA and the Public Health Ministry collected 102 samples of sausages nationwide. Examination was concluded with 44 samples, 22 of which were substandard and their producers were facing legal action, Mr Weerachai said.
The FDA found the harmful levels of nitrate used as a preservative and also the benzoic acid that was banned from use in sausages, he said. The safe threshold of nitrate used in food was set at 80 milligrams per kilogram of food. Those who used benzoic in food were liable to a fine of up to 20,000 baht, he said.
The FDA would organize a free online training session on the safe use of nitrite and benzoate via the FDA THAI Facebook page at 9.30am-12.00pm on March 22, Mr Weerachai said. (TNA)
