VIRAL posts on social media claim that a bleaching agent, benzoyl peroxide, is being used in wheat flour.
This has led to some confusion as there are claims that the additive can lead to an adverse effect on health while others say that its use is permitted.
Is it true that benzoyl peroxide is allowed to be used as a conditioner for wheat flour?
VERDICT:
TRUE
In a statement, the Health Ministry said that the Food Regulations 1985, under the Food Act 1983, permitted the use of benzoyl peroxide as a food conditioner for wheat flour up to a maximum of 50mg per kilogramme (50mg/kg).
The ministry was responding to viral posts claiming that the additive could have an adverse effect on health.
It also added that the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), an international body set up under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards programme, had set a limit of 60mg/kg for the use of benzoyl peroxide in wheat flour.
"In this matter, the use of benzoyl peroxide has been evaluated and certified safe in the permitted quantity in Malaysia and internationally by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)," the ministry said in its statement.
It added that the ministry was alway prepared to take the necessary action if there was scientific evidence from international bodies such as CAC and JECFA that any food additive or conditioner is dangerous to health.
"The ministry constantly monitors wheat flour available on the market in Malaysia to ensure that the amount of benzoyl peroxide used is within the permissible limits," the statement read.
The ministry also said it had issued advisories on the same matter in 2012 and 2017 to avoid confusion among consumers.
Consumers with doubts or queries on any issue relating to food safety could contact the district and state Health Offices.
They can also visit the Food Safety and Quality Programme official website at http://moh.spab.gov.my or its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bbkmhq.
