MORE than 96 percent of food and food additives on the market and at restaurants during the New Year holidays were found safe for consumption, the city market supervision administration said Sunday.
Authorities checked 1,599 products, including dairy products, oil, spices, food additives and tableware and only 51 had failed to meet national standards, yesterday s Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
About 96.8 percent of the food additives which were supplied to city restaurants and food manufacturers were found to be up to standard.
All the food products, such as dairy products, alcohol, meat, drinks, biscuits and cakes, were safe.
However, only 70 percent of bulk dried bean curd was up to standard with the rest failing to meet national standards by containing excessive amounts of formaldehyde and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, the Daily report said.
Seven out of 143 cold foods were also found to be below standard. Most substandard food contained excessive microorganisms, the administration said.
The department suggested residents be careful when buying or eating cold and uncooked food, such as sashimi and cold dishes, to avoid digestive problems.
More information about food quality is available at the administration s Web site at www.szscjg.gov.cn.
(Wang Yuanyuan)
