I REFER to the letter by M.S.R. of Johor Baru (”No action despite complaints” — NST, March 24) alleging that hawkers fried snacks with their plastic wrappers and that this posed a health risk to consumers.

The Health Ministry is investigating this matter. Samples of frying oil and snacks (for example, fried bananas, keropok lekor) are being analysed by the Chemistry Department.

Preliminary results do not show the presence of plastic materials. More samples are being analysed and the results will be available soon.

In general, plastics are long-chain polymers to which colourants and other additives are added to control the physical properties of the plastic. Plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and plastic straws are made from a formulated blend of polyethylene, plastic resin, colourants and other additives. General toxicity and genotoxicity studies on PET indicate this material does not pose a threat to human health and polypropylene is a safe food-contact plastic material.

However, the colourants, additives, preservatives and plasticisers in the plastic materials are toxic and the public might be at risk if these materials are ingested.

When plastic is heated, it may melt and degrade, releasing all its components, including the plastic mono-mers, into the frying oil.

The ministry would appreciate it if the public could alert health authorities of such negligent practices.

Consumers should exercise their right to boycott the vendors of such food.

NORAINI MOHD OTHMAN, Director, Food Safety and Quality Division Health Ministry

Source: NST – March 31, 2008