While the Zhonglian toxic oil scandal remains unresolved, another food safety issue has emerged: camellia oil contaminated with benzopyrene, a Group 1 carcinogen. Most commercial camellia oils are labeled as 'cold-pressed,' yet benzopyrene forms only at temperatures between 300°C and 350°C. Dr. Yen Tsung-Hai, Director of the Clinical Toxicology Division at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, called the finding 'very strange' and urged regulatory authorities to conduct an in-depth inspection of the production facility to identify any high-temperature processes that may explain the contamination.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced that Lianjing Green Technology Co., Ltd. voluntarily reported on the evening of July 21 that its 'Lianjing Camellia Oil' tested positive for benzopyrene at 2.9ppb, exceeding the legal limit of 2.0ppb. TFDA and New Taipei City Health Bureau conducted an on-site inspection at the company on July 22.
Most camellia oils on the market emphasize cold-pressing, a low-temperature extraction method typically below 80–100°C. Dr. Yen explained that benzopyrene is generally produced only under high heat, so such high levels should not theoretically appear in cold-pressed oils. He recommended authorities thoroughly investigate whether any part of the manufacturing process involves high temperatures.
Dr. Yen noted that benzopyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and has long been classified by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen, linked to lung and gastrointestinal cancers.
Benzopyrene is also an environmental pollutant found in industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and high-temperature cooking. Although benzopyrene itself is not directly carcinogenic, once ingested, it is metabolized in the liver into reactive compounds that bind to DNA, causing mutations and increasing cancer risk.
As a fat-soluble compound, benzopyrene is primarily metabolized by the liver and excreted through feces. Dr. Yen advised consumers concerned about past exposure to contaminated products to increase intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods to aid detoxification.
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- Source: PR Times
- Category: News