The customs officers of Le Havre made an astonishing seizure: not counterfeit drugs but thousands of plastic bowls. Containing a potentially carcinogenic substance, these have been taken out of service. The kitchen utensils indeed had a formaldehyde level 30 times higher than the maximum standard authorized in Europe. Analyzes were made after the discovery last June of 11,500 melamine salad bowls. In the absence of documents and analyzes on the composition of the objects, experts then carry out laboratory examinations. The result has just fallen: 3,300 of the 11,500 salad bowls were withdrawn from sale because they were deemed potentially harmful to health. These salad bowls, which were to be sold in discount stores will be destroyed soon.
Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of resins such as melamine formaldehyde. This substance is suspected of toxicity. It “diffuses into food when they are heated. However, the higher the temperature, the more the rate of migration of harmful elements increases”, explain the Customs, quoted by AFP.
In addition, brief exposure to formaldehyde may cause unwanted effects such as irritation of the skin, eyes or respiratory tract.s, allergies, eczema, respiratory problems, or even, if swallowed, severe ulcerations of the digestive system.
Faced with these risks, the European Commission has called for increased vigilance when importing polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware from China. French customs controls “have made it possible to gradually clean up the market for nylon and polyamide utensils from China,” the authorities specify.
Melamine utensils are reminiscent of the 2008 Chinese melamine-adulterated milk scandal. had developed chronic illnesses.
