Core Tip: There are some non-negligible issues in food safety and consumption, especially in the consumption of bulk foods. To ensure the safety of consumers' food consumption, the Shenyang Consumers Association reminds consumers to pay attention to "six points" when purchasing bulk foods.
Recently, this reporter learned from an interview with the Shenyang Consumers Association that, based on an analysis of the association's work in supervising goods and services and handling consumer complaints, there are some non-negligible issues in food safety and consumption, especially in the consumption of bulk foods. Among them, some consumers lack sufficient consumer knowledge, leading to blind spots and misconceptions in consumption; some operators also lack a sense of integrity and have a poor awareness of food safety. To ensure the safety of consumers' food consumption, the Shenyang Consumers Association reminds consumers to pay attention to "six points" when purchasing bulk foods.
First, be cautious when using plastic bags. Currently, various kinds of snacks in markets, street-side shops, and food stalls attract many consumers. When selling these foods, many operators use plastic bags to line the bowls for serving. This may seem hygienic, but it actually poses certain safety hazards. National regulations stipulate that plastic bags used to hold ready-to-eat food must be made of food-grade raw materials, and the smallest sales unit must be marked with the "QS" mark and words such as "for food use" or "food专用". When selecting food, consumers should check if the plastic bags used to hold the food meet the standards.
Second, food-grade plastic bags should not be used to hold high-temperature foods. Operators often use plastic bags to hold high-temperature foods like spicy hot pot and hot soups, which poses safety hazards. When food reaches a certain temperature, chemical components in the plastic bag may leach out, contaminating the food and causing harm to the human body. Even when using food-grade plastic bags, long-term consumption may still pose safety risks.
Third, try to use brightly colored disposable straws and plastic cups as little as possible, and avoid using them for hot drinks. Last year, the Shenyang Consumers Association conducted comparative tests on disposable plastic bowls, paper cups, and plastic straws. The test results showed that 30% of the samples of paper cups, plastic cups, and straws did not fully meet the standards, mainly due to substandard fluorescent substances and colorfastness tests. Fluorescent substances are not easily decomposed or excreted and can accumulate in the body, affecting the normal development and growth of cells. In severe cases, they can cause cell mutation. Artificial synthetic colors are bright and have strong coloring power, but some synthetic pigments are toxic and can cause diarrhea, and may even lead to decreased fertility or birth defects. Some pigments may also be converted into carcinogens in the human body.
Fourth, check if the sales environment is clean and tidy. When purchasing large-packaged foods that are sold after repackaging, bulk pastries, or foods sold on-site after processing and preparation, carefully check whether the operator has facilities or equipment that meet hygiene requirements for washing, disinfection, storage, and temperature regulation. For places with small and disordered operating environments that cannot guarantee food safety, consumers should choose cautiously.
Fifth, check if the operator's operations are standardized. The "Food Safety Law" clearly stipulates that personnel selling ready-to-eat foods and bulk foods that do not require washing must hold valid health certificates and must wear masks, gloves, and hats during operations. When purchasing these foods, if consumers find that employees are not wearing masks, gloves, and hats, or if they handle miscellaneous items while wearing gloves, leading to improper behavior that may cause cross-contamination of the food for sale, they should choose cautiously.
Sixth, check if the food labels are complete. According to the "Food Safety Law", food operators must store and sell bulk foods, indicating the food's name, production date, shelf life, producer's name and contact information on the storage location and packaging container. When purchasing the aforementioned foods, consumers should check the labels. For foods without labels, or for foods with incomplete important information such as the food name, production date, and shelf life on the label, they should choose cautiously.