“Dangerous Additives in Minced Meat: Warning from Helwan Veterinary Department”

10:11 p.m

Thursday 04 May 2023

Books – Muhammad Nassar:

Dr. Shehata Shenouda, director of the Helwan Veterinary Department at the Veterinary Medicine Directorate in Cairo, warned of the bright red colors of minced meat.

The Directorate of Veterinary Medicine in Cairo said, on its Facebook page, that the methods of fraud in minced meat are many and different, including the addition of some substances (such as sodium nitrate, nitrite, or red oxide).

The Directorate of Veterinary Medicine indicated that the aim of adding these materials is to give the minced meat a bright pink color, to preserve the freshness of the product, to give it a good flavor, and to extend the shelf life.

And she confirmed that the percentage of sodium nitrate allowed for minced meat is 0.01%, and it can only be calculated by accurate devices and very high capabilities, and it is only available in large factories.

And she added that red oxide is not authorized for human consumption and its source is paint shops, pointing out that the World Health Organization has declared the danger of these additives to human health.

The International Food Safety Authority (FDA) also warned of the substances that are added cosmetically and their danger to human health.

The Minister of Health also issued Decision 204 of 2015 regarding the addition of some materials in the food industry (in permissible proportions), and these dangerous additives were canceled in the European Union countries.

The Directorate stressed the danger of these substances, as recent studies confirm their danger to human health, as they have been linked to the development of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.