Core Tip: There are some noteworthy issues in food safety and consumption, especially concerning bulk food consumption. To ensure the safety of consumers' food consumption, they must observe "Six Precautions" when purchasing bulk food.
One is to be cautious when using plastic bags. Currently, various kinds of snacks in markets, small street shops, and food stalls attract many consumers. When selling these foods, most operators use plastic bags to cover bowls for serving, which may seem hygienic but actually poses certain safety hazards. National regulations stipulate that plastic bags used for holding 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.
Two is to note that food-grade plastic bags should not be used for hot food. Operators often use food bags to hold high-temperature foods like hot pot and soups, which is a safety hazard. When food reaches a certain temperature, chemical components in the plastic bag may leach out, contaminating the food and harming the human body. Even when using food-grade plastic bags, long-term use may still pose safety risks.
Three is to try to use brightly colored disposable straws and plastic cups as little as possible, and avoid using them for hot drinks. The Shenyang Consumers Association conducted a comparative test on disposable plastic bowls, paper cups, and plastic straws last year. The test results showed that 30% of the paper cups, plastic cups, and straw samples did not fully meet the standards, mainly due to substandard fluorescent substances and decolorization tests. Fluorescent substances are not easily decomposed or excreted and can accumulate in the body, affecting the normal development and growth of cells, and in severe cases, may cause cell mutations. Artificial synthetic colors are bright and have strong coloring power, but some synthetic colors 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.
Four is to check if the sales environment is clean and tidy. When purchasing bulk food sold in repackaged large packages, bulk pastry foods, and foods sold on-site after processing, consumers should carefully check whether the operator has facilities or equipment that meet hygiene requirements for washing, disinfection, storage, and temperature regulation. For places with small, messy production and operating environments where food safety cannot be guaranteed, consumers should choose with caution.
Five is to check if the operator's practices are standardized. The "Food Safety Law" clearly stipulates that operators selling ready-to-eat food and bulk food that does not require washing must hold a valid health certificate and wear masks, gloves, and hats during operation. When purchasing these foods, if consumers find that employees are not wearing masks, gloves, and hats, or are handling miscellaneous items with gloves, leading to improper practices that may cause cross-contamination of the food for sale, they should choose with caution.
Six is to check if the food labels are complete. According to the "Food Safety Law", food operators must store and sell bulk food with the food's name, production date, shelf life, producer's name, and contact information clearly marked on the storage location and the outer packaging container. When purchasing the aforementioned foods, consumers should check the labels. For unlabeled foods, or foods where important information on the label such as the food name, production date, and shelf life is incomplete, consumers should choose with caution.