Govt Probes Claim Of High Level Of Propionic Acid In Bread

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal Thursday advised the people to remain calm while the government investigates a claim that bread of popular brands contains higher than permitted levels of the propionic acid preservative.
"Let us investigate. Don't accept it (the allegation) yet because there is no official statement from the government," he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Iran-Malaysia Exchange 2006 exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), here.
He said the relevant government authorities such as the Health Ministry were investigating a claim yesterday by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) that bread it had tested was found to contain excessive amounts of the preservative, even up to five times the permitted level.
CAP president S. M. Mohamed Idris said that under the Food Regulations 1985, bread was only allowed to contain propionic acid in amounts that did not exceed 2,000 mg per kg.
He also claimed that burger buns of two international fast food chains had also been found to contain excessive amounts of the preservative, up to 1.5 times and 3.6 times above the permitted level.