The Invisible Killer in Beer: The Potential Risks of Biogenic Amines and DON
The hidden concern behind a glass of beer
On a hot summer day, a cold beer is undoubtedly a good companion for many people. However, a recent test by the Hong Kong Consumer Council has cast a shadow over the cool drink. Biogenic amines were detected in 30 well-known beer brands on the market without exception, and the content of some brands is even more eye-catching. This is not only news, but also a wake-up call to our daily eating habits – the beer we enjoy may hide the risk of bad health effects.
Beer testing: the ubiquity of biogenic amines and DON
The test results of the Hong Kong Consumer Council showed that 30 beer samples, including Snowflake, Heineken, Budweiser and Carlsberg, were found to contain biogenic amines of different types and levels. Coopers Brewery and Carlsberg were the two beers with the highest number of biogenic amines, with 5 and 7 types respectively. EVEN MORE CONCERNING WAS THE DETECTION OF 26 MICROGRAMS PER KILOGRAM OF DEOXYNIVALENOL (DON), A WIDELY RECOGNIZED HARMFUL TOXIN, IN SAMPLES OF HARBIN MALAMORES IN HARBIN.
Biogenic amines and DON: a dual threat of health risks
Biogenic amines, as by-products of the alcoholic fermentation process, are usually not harmful to health at less than a certain amount. However, excessive intake of biogenic amines may trigger a range of adverse reactions, including headache, dizziness, vomiting, respiratory disturbances, and possibly intracerebral hemorrhage. The harm of DON, a toxin produced by Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium aureus, cannot be ignored. After excessive intake of DON, people may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever in as little as 30 minutes, and long-term or large intake may cause more serious health effects.
Manufacturer's response: the position of compliant production and sales
Faced with this test result, the manufacturer of Harbin HARBIN McDonnell Douglas quickly responded. They made it clear that the product had never been sold in Hong Kong, was only produced and sold in Chinese mainland, and that the entire production and sales process complied with relevant mainland laws and regulations. In addition, the manufacturer also stressed that the detected DON level was well below the relevant upper limit standards for cereal products set by the company internally, in the Mainland and internationally.
Consumer choice and self-protection
As consumers, we have the right to know the truth about the products we consume. When choosing a beer, we should pay attention to the product's label information, understand its composition and possible risks. At the same time, drinking in moderation is key. Excessive alcohol consumption not only increases biogenic amine and DON intake, but may also cause damage to our liver and other organs. We should learn to protect ourselves, make reasonable choices, and consume in moderation, which is the basic way for us to protect our health.
Deep Dive: The Relationship between Food Safety and Healthy Living
Food safety has always been a hot topic of social concern. From the detection of biogenic amines and DON, we can see that even beverages that are common in our daily lives can have potential health risks. This is not only a challenge for food manufacturers, but also a test of our consumers' own cognition and choice. We should pay more attention to food safety, learn to obtain information from various aspects, and enhance our own identification ability.
Healthy eating starts with understanding
Through this incident, we can see that as consumers, we need to pay more attention to the safety of our diets. Understanding product information, making reasonable choices, and consuming in moderation are the basic ways for us to protect our health. At the same time, we also hope that the relevant departments can strengthen supervision to ensure that the food sold in the market meets safety standards, so that consumers can eat and drink with peace of mind. Let's start by understanding and working together to build a healthier and safer eating environment.
Dear readers, I hope this article will draw your attention to food safety. Let's work together to protect the health of ourselves and our families. Remember, eating healthy starts with understanding.