by FAYYADH JAAFAR / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL
THE Hong Kong Consumer Council should consider the overall contents of GE and 3-MCPDE in the products as the contamination of these two contaminants in palm oil is not limited to the oil itself, says the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
The Hong Kong Consumer Council recently claimed that five out of 60 pre-packaged biscuits made of palm oil contain glycidol; between 1,000 mcg/kg and >3,900 mcg/kg. It was also reported that 75% of the samples also contained 3-MCPD.
The oil alone only contains the esterified forms of glycidol and 3-MCPD and not the free form.
MPOB said the council should consider the overall contents of GE and 3-MCPDE in the products based on the amount of oil used in the biscuit formulation instead of measuring the levels of contaminants solely from the oil.
“The release of such an article must be taken seriously by the food manufacturers in Malaysia and the palm oil industry to start mitigating 3-MCPDE and GE as soon as possible,” MPOB DG Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir (picture) said in a statement yesterday.
He further stated that refineries and mills should demand for palm oil containing lower 3-MCPDE and GE from the suppliers so that their products can be accepted by consumers.
The high-quality standard throughout the palm oil supply chain is maintained by MPOB through the implementation of strict quality enforcement procedures which include regular inspection, spot checks and routine sampling and testing.
“The issues of 3-MCPDE and GE in palm oil will no longer be a concern if all parties understand their roles in ensuring palm oil meets high quality and safety standards,” he added.
He further elaborated that the MPOB’s has taken serious note of the recent news reports and is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the public is made aware of the facts; and to take appropriate action to mitigate the issue.
“MPOB’s collaborations with technology providers have demonstrated the capability of installing CPO washing systems at both mills and refining. In the light of GE, the presence of this contaminant in palm oil can be mitigated through post-refining at a lower temperature,” he remarked.
“From the commercial trials, CPO washing and post-refining have proven to yield palm oil with reduced 3-MCPDE and GE content, respectively.”
To date, the Malaysian government has allocated RM32.4 million to carry out commercial trials (large scale trials) to address 3-MCPDE and GE in palm oil, with the MPOB responsible for overseeing the project.
Sixteen companies were approved by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to participate in the commercial trial, which included 10 mills and six refineries.
The mills are mainly responsible for reducing chlorine content in CPO, while refineries are tasked with mitigating 3-MCPDE and GE in refined palm oil.
The MPOB has also formulated the licencing conditions for the commercial trial, including the minimum acceptable level of 3-MCPDE and GE in the final product.
“The move will provide sufficient time for the palm oil players to prepare themselves to reduce the contaminants in palm oil for export and local consumption,” he concluded.
In July 2019, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopted a Code of Practise for the reduction of 3-MCPDEs and GEs in refined oils and food products made with refined oils.
CAC is the body established to develop, harmonise and implement international food standards under the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation Food Standards Programme.
Governments around the world refer to the CAC food standards to protect the health of their domestic consumers.
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