• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Disposable chopsticks found in Singapore are generally safe for use

by Neyla Zannia
08/11/2018
in Consumer Watch
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

Many disposable wooden chopsticks in paper wrappers in bowl in Asian Japanese restaurant fast food casual cafe by plastic cutlery, forks, spoons from Shutterstock.com

Disposable chopsticks found in Singapore are generally safe for use as they do not contain excessive amounts of sulphur dioxide residue, announced the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Wednesday (7 November)

In a press release, the authority stated that it commissioned a test on 20 samples of disposable chopsticks sold in Singapore for sulphur dioxide residue, which may be harmful to one’s health in excessive amounts. The test results showed less than 400mg/kg of sulphur dioxide found in all samples.

CASE noted that sulphur dioxide is often used as a bleaching agent and to prevent the growth of mould and pests in disposable chopsticks. Excessive sulphur dioxide may negatively affect the human respiratory system. It also reacts easily with substances to form harmful variants, such as sulphurous acid and sulphate particles. People who are allergic to these variants may develop difficulties in breathing and skin allergies.

According to the authority, the 20 samples were selected by random sampling and purchased from departmental stores, supermarkets and stores in the heartland areas.

As a form of control and also because of traceability issues, disposable chopsticks provided for takeaway at cooked food stalls and eateries were excluded, it added.

CASE stated that the test was conducted using a methodology adopted from the Pearson’s Composition and Analysis of Foods (1991). The method included warm water leaching from the sample, followed by titration. The samples were cut into smaller pieces for testing. For every 1 cm of surface area, 2 ml of water was used to soak the samples.

The samples were then soaked at 60°C for 30 minutes. After soaking, the solution obtained was then tested for presence of sulphur dioxide.

According to the test results, a range of residual sulphur dioxide between 7mg/kg and 364 mg/kg was detected in the 20 samples CASE said.

CASE stated that there is no specific standard regulating the amount of sulphur dioxide residue in disposable chopsticks in Singapore. However, it noted that the Guobiao Standards, administered by the Standardisation Administration of the People’s Republic of China, states that sulphur dioxide residue should not exceed 600 mg/kg in disposable chopsticks.

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration also has a Sanitation Standard for Disposable Chopsticks indicating that the sulphur dioxide residue found in disposable chopsticks should not exceed 500 mg/kg, it added.

Separately, residual substances present in food-contact articles do not pose any food safety concern unless they migrate from the food contact articles into food. Thus, the Singapore Food Regulations, administered by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), stipulates that all food contact articles do not migrate any harmful substances to the food coming into contact with them.

According to CASE, AVA conducts regular sampling and testing of food contact materials to ensure that they do not release any harmful substances
into food. Currently, disposable utensils used in Singapore meet safety standards for migration and are safe for handling food.

Despite the fact that the chopsticks are generally safe to use, CASE stated that consumers are advised to avoid using disposable chopsticks that look too white as a word of caution.  As sulphur dioxide is used as a bleaching agent, disposable chopsticks that appear too white are likely to have been bleached before, thus potentially containing sulphur dioxide. Disposable chopsticks that give off a pungent smell should also be avoided as this may indicate plausible chemical use.

It, however, noted that disposable chopsticks are meant for single-use and consumers are advised not to use them repeatedly

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service
Housing

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023
457 civil society organizations call on ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus
AFP

Myanmar junta sets out tough new rules for political parties

27/01/2023
Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate
AFP

Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

27/01/2023
Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG
Labour

Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

27/01/2023
One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study
AFP

One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

27/01/2023
Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia
Court Cases

Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

27/01/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023
457 civil society organizations call on ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus

Myanmar junta sets out tough new rules for political parties

27/01/2023
Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

27/01/2023
Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

27/01/2023
One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

27/01/2023
Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

27/01/2023
Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

27/01/2023

ASEAN governments must stop using ‘lawfare’ against critics, Southeast Asian MPs say

27/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
33

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
28

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
52

...

Disposable chopsticks found in Singapore are generally safe for use

by Neyla Zannia
08/11/2018
0

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
45

...

November 2018
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Oct   Dec »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz