15 starch-based products from Taiwan recalled due to maleic acid

SINGAPORE - The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has detected

maleic acid in another four products from Taiwan, bringing the total number of affected products to 15.

Maleic acid is an organic compound that is a dicarboxylic acid, a molecule with two carboxyl groups. Its chemical formula is HO₂CCHCHCO₂H. Maleic acid is the cis-isomer of butenedioic acid, whereas fumaric acid is the trans-isomer. It is mainly used as a precursor to fumaric acid, and relative to its parent maleic anhydride, maleic acid has few application

The four affected products are Full Free's yam and green tea tapioca balls, and Long Kow's vegetarian instant rice noodles and rice noodle with thick soup.

AVA says it has informed the importers of the affected products to withdraw them from sale immediately and that withdrawal has been completed.

It cautions consumers who have bought these products not to consume them, and to either return them to the retailer or to discard and not consume them.

In a statement released on Friday, the AVA said that they are continuing their surveillance of products from Taiwan to ensure that they do not contain maleic acid.

It added that maleic acid is not an approved additive, and long term consumption of high levels of the acid can cause kidney damage.

AVA noted that occasional consumption at the levels detected does not pose any significant health risk.

Ref:newsasiaone

Five of the 20 beverage and dessert operators The Straits Times spoke to have pulled tapioca starch balls – also known as “pearls” – from their drinks following a recall of 11 starch-based Taiwanese products found to contain maleic acid, a chemical linked to kidney failure.

According to a report by The Straits Times, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said on Sunday that the products have been withdrawn after the additive – which has not been approved here – was found in them. Consuming high levels of it can cause kidney damage.

Two of the five operators to stop selling pearls were directly affected by the product recall.

A-Gan TEA Singapore, which has six outlets islandwide, said two out of the five tapioca products it uses were found to contain maleic acid.

It was informed by the AVA before the recall that its products had failed checks and stopped offering pearls in its drinks on Tuesday last week.

The other three businesses, Cool Cup Bubble Tea, Jollibean, and dessert store Bing Bian, said they do not use any of the 11 recalled products.

Jollibean and Bing Bian have stopped offering pearls temporarily as a “precautionary measure”.

Most major players have been unaffected by the incident but have taken measures to reassure consumers.

Ms Jessie Guo, 35, public relations manager for Koi Cafe, said the chain intends to display notices at all its 18 branches saying that their products are safe for consumption.

Sweet Talk, ShareTea, and Gong Cha have put up notices on their Facebook pages or websites.

Sales will resume when it is cleared by the authority.

Ref:stomp

Four more Taiwan products recalled due to presence of maleic acid

The four affect products are Full Free's yam, and green tea tapioca balls, and Long Kow's vegetarian instant rice noodles and rice noodle with thick soup. -AsiaOne 

Fri, May 31, 2013
AsiaOne
SINGAPORE - The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has detected maleic acid in another four products from Taiwan, bringing the total number of affected products to 15.
The four affected products are Full Free's yam and green tea tapioca balls, and Long Kow's vegetarian instant rice noodles and rice noodle with thick soup.
AVA says it has informed the importers of the affected products to withdraw them from sale immediately and that withdrawal has been completed.
It cautions consumers who have bought these products not to consume them, and to either return them to the retailer or to discard and not consume them.
In a statement released on Friday, the AVA said that they are continuing their surveillance of products from Taiwan to ensure that they do not contain maleic acid.
It added that maleic acid is not an approved additive, and long term consumption of high levels of the acid can cause kidney damage.
AVA noted that occasional consumption at the levels detected does not pose any significant health risk.
grongloh@sph.com.sg

15 starch-based products from Taiwan recalled due to maleic acid Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: ST, TNP, AVA, Department of Health, Taipei City Government )