The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning not to drink soup bases that have been boiled for extended periods. Specifically, after being boiled for 60 and 90 minutes, the nitrite content in the soup base exceeds 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg respectively, which is significantly higher than the content in general foods. When more than 200 milligrams of nitrite is ingested at one time, it can cause hypoxia in the human body and even lead to acute poisoning. In severe cases, it may be carcinogenic.
In recent years, improper consumption of hot pot has frequently led to illnesses. For example: consuming food that is too hot can cause oral burns, and undercooked food can spread parasitic diseases. Recently, professional and technical personnel from the Municipal Food and Drug Administration conducted testing and research on substances such as nitrites in hot pot soup. The results showed that after boiling the hot pot soup base for 30 minutes, its nitrite content exceeded 3 mg/kg; after boiling for 60 and 90 minutes, the nitrite content in the soup exceeded 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg respectively, which is much higher than the content in general foods; when a large amount of nitrite (over 200 mg) is absorbed into the body at once, it can convert normal hemoglobin into methemoglobin, causing hypoxia and acute poisoning in the human body.
Currently, the state has not established a maximum limit standard for nitrites in hot pot soup, with the standard for pickled vegetables being 20 mg/kg. Additionally, high-protein foods in hot pot, such as meat, fish, and offal, can release amine substances during prolonged high-temperature boiling. Secondary amines in these amines can combine with nitrites to form N-nitrosamines, which are medically recognized as Class 1 carcinogens. The high temperature of hot pot can also destroy vitamin C in vegetables, and vitamin C happens to have the effect of inhibiting the formation of nitrosamines.
The Food and Drug Administration reminds everyone that when eating hot pot, be sure to cook the food thoroughly before eating. Do not drink the soup base that has been boiled for a long time, and do be in such a hurry that you accidentally get burned. At the same time, you can also eat some vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C when eating hot pot.