What happens to the body if you eat food containing formalin?

Dr. and pharmacist Nguyen Thanh Triet, Deputy Head of the Department of Traditional Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said that formalin, also known as formaldehyde, is a colorless, toxic and flammable gas at room temperature.

"Formalin is extremely toxic, can cause cancer, and is harmful to the eyes. This substance also has antibacterial and antifungal properties by killing tissue cells," Dr. Triet emphasized.

Inhalation of low doses of formaldehyde vapor can cause headaches, rhinitis and difficulty breathing, while higher doses can cause severe irritation of mucous membranes, burning, watery eyes and lower respiratory tract effects such as bronchitis, pulmonary edema or pneumonia. Sensitive individuals may develop asthma and dermatitis, even at very low doses. Formalin vapor is slightly heavier than air and can lead to asphyxiation in poorly ventilated, enclosed or low lying areas.

Detecting formalin-containing anchovies being transported for consumption

Swallowing formalin can cause acute gastritis and enteritis with symptoms of mouth pain, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, vomiting blood, hematuria, followed by oliguria (a decrease in the amount of urine in 24 hours), anuria (a lack of urine in the bladder)... Skin contact with formalin can cause skin necrosis, allergies, dermatitis...

According to the Ministry of Health , exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and upper and lower respiratory tract. The level of exposure to workers depends on the dose, duration, and location of work. In industry, formaldehyde is mainly used in the plastics industry and as a chemical intermediate. In addition, formaldehyde is also used in some antiseptic products, cosmetics, hair chemicals, etc.

It is difficult to recognize food preserved in formalin.

Dr. Triet said that it is very difficult to tell whether a food is soaked in formalin or not. Therefore, when choosing food, people should choose fresh meat, fish... that is soft to the touch, not dry and hard....

"If a food is marinated with formalin, we must wash the food immediately after marinating it to reduce the amount of this substance," Dr. Triet shared.

3.2 tons of anchovy fish containing formalin were discovered.

As Thanh Nien Online reported earlier, on October 17, information from the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department said that at about 1:00 a.m. on the same day, the forces of Market Management Team No. 10 (under the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department) coordinated with the Economic Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police to inspect and discovered a truck pulling a trailer carrying a large quantity of anchovies of unknown origin.

During the inspection, the authorities discovered that the vehicle was carrying many foam boxes containing anchovies, totaling about 3.2 tons.

The authorities conducted a quick test and discovered formalin in the foam boxes containing anchovies. At the time of the inspection, the driver was unable to present any documents of origin for the product.

The authorities have drawn up a record of the incident and temporarily detained all 3.2 tons of anchovy fish to continue verifying, clarifying and handling according to the provisions of law.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/an-phai-thuc-pham-chua-formol-co-the-se-the-nao-185231017221543598.htm