Beware the Poison at the Dinner Table

Ease of obtaining chemicals such as borax, formalin, and textile dyes are often misused some food manufacturers. They mix the chemical into processed food products either because of lack of knowledge about the dangers of these substances when consumed, or for other reasons. However, certainly we as consumers are rightly wary and cautious. To avoid food containing chemical substances rather than for food (nonfood grade), we should recognize these chemical substances and contaminated food characteristics such substances.

The chemicals are commonly found nonfood grade contained in a number of foods are:

Borax. Borax is a crystalline compound, white, odorless and stable at normal temperature and pressure Borax is a dangerous chemical compounds for food with the chemical name sodium tetrabonat (NaB4O7 10H2O), can be found in solid form. In the form of an aqueous (water soluble) will be sodium hydroxide and boric acid (H3BO3). Borax or boric acid used for fabric detergent, is antiseptic, and is reducing the water hardness.

Borax danger inhalation, the skin and ingested, can cause respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, eye irritation, kidneys damage, as well as symptoms of other common poisoning.

Some foods that contain borax, can be marked will not fly or other insect infestation, also do not like cats because borax is antiseptic. In general, food containing borax will be more resilient (wet noodles, meatballs, chicken, rice cake), and will be more durable (nonperishable) a few days, even if stored at room temperature (25°C). If consumed, borax will taste bitter on the tongue and the throat feels scratchy.

Formalin. Formaldehyde is a colorless solution, and the smell was terrible. In the formalin contained about 37 percent formaldehyde in water. Usually methanol plus 15 per cent formalin as a preservative commonly used as an adhesive for plywood, and disinfectants for hospital equipment, as well as preservatives corpse. In the market can be obtained in the form of formalin was diluted, with levels formaldehidnya 40, 30, 20, and 10 percent, or in the form of tablets 5 grams.

Formalin inhalation hazard, on skin, or ingested can cause respiratory tract irritation, aiergi symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and other symptoms.

Some foods that contain formaldehyde can be marked will not fly or other insect infestation, also will not like cats, because the piercing smell of formaldehyde and is a disinfectant.

Formalin-containing foods will look more shiny with bad piercing (noodles, meatballs, tofu, chicken, etc..), And will be more durable (durable) for many days even stored at room temperature (25°C).

Rhodamin B. Rhodamin B is a synthetic dye used in textile and paper industries. Rhodamin W-shaped purplish-red crystalline powder and in solution will fluoresce bright red (fluorescent). Rhodamin trade names such as Tetra Ethyl B, Rheonine B, D, & C Red. No. 19, CI Basic Violet No. 10 and CL. 45 179.

Danger Rhodamin B if inhaled, swallowed the skin and can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, skin irritation, irritation of the digestive tract, as well as other symptoms of poisoning.

Characteristics of foodstuffs containing Rhodamin B is colored red, if the product form solution will cause a red color phosphorescent or fluorescent. The color of this product is resistant to heating (fried / boiled) the color will not fade. In many food products providing dots of color, because it can not be mixed homogeneously

Yellow Metanil. Another name of this dye is acid yellow 36, orange powder. The dye is commonly used for industrial purposes and often polluting. Usually used on paper, silk fiber, aluminum inks, detergents, and cosmetics timber.

Dangers of Metanil Yellow is similar to the dangers of Rhodamin B. Characteristics of food containing these dyes will look striking yellow, resistant to heating (fried / boiled color will not fade), and the food will look mixed not homogeneous.

To maintain health, then get to know the food on your dinner table. *** [Y. ZAKIAH | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 15092011]