Risk of cancer from eating biscuits is low, says Noor Hisham

 

The cancer risk from locally produced biscuits is considered low based on assessments conducted by the Health Ministry’s Food Quality and Safety Division (BKKM), said the ministry’s director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said based on the monitoring conducted by the division since 2015, the average level of acrylamide among biscuits sold on the local market is 246μg/kg, which is below the 350μg/kg benchmark set by the European Union Commission Regulations.

“The BKKM has also conducted risk assessments on acrylamide and glycidol in food and it shows that the health risks of acrylamide and glycidol through biscuit consumption is low,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to a report by the Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) on Oct 18, which found that 60 biscuit brands sold on the island contain the two cancer-causing contaminants.

These included some Malaysian-produced brands.

 In particular, the report claimed that Hup Seng Special Cream Crackers contained 500μg/kg of acrylamide and 2,100μg/kg of glycidol.

The two substances could be produced during certain high-temperature cooking processes such as frying, baking and roasting.

They are both classified as Group 2A agents by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, meaning they are considered “probably carcinogenic to humans” because there is sufficient evidence of this in animal experiments, but evidence in humans is limited.

This is a step down from Group 1 agents such as tobacco smoking, alcoholic beverages, and certain viruses that are considered “carcinogenic to humans”, but above Group 2B agents that are “possibly carcinogenic” such as engine exhaust fumes.

However, Noor Hisham noted that acrylamide contamination can be controlled through the selection of raw ingredients and suitable processing method.

In response to the HKCC’s revelations, local biscuit maker Hup Seng Perusahaan Makanan Sdn Bhd said its products are safe for consumption and comply with quality and safety standards.

Julies Manufacturing Sdn Bhd said it maintains high food safety standards and stands by its products. - Mkini