Action for safer noodles

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Villagers make noodles in Takeo province in January. In a government effort to ensure customer safety noodle producers may now face fines for using preservatives such as Borax and formalin.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

via CAAI

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 15:00Sieam Bunthy

Noodle-makers are being warned against using illegal preservatives such as Borax and formalin in their products by the Government, which has said that producers may face fines as it aims to improve consumer safety.

Yesterday, 38 string noodle producers from Phnom Penh and eight other provinces attended a training course on noodle producing methods held at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy.

At the first seminar of its kind, Suy Sem, Minister for the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, said that the Government wanted noodle-makers to reach set standards and ensure customer safety.

He warned against using risky chemicals such as Borax in production.

The minister added that the body is set to warn and issue fines to string noodle makers which harm customers’ health.

Earlier this month, research from a specialist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia found between 41 and 80 percent of food products in Cambodia contained dangerous substances.

Borax and formalin, a substance made of formaldehyde and water, were found in a range of products including sausage, dry fish, seafood, noodles and meat balls produced from beef and pork.

You Kea, a household noodle maker from Battambang province, said he supported the ministry’s program and had been educated about safety.

“The [new] method is good,” said You Kea.