Li Hua and Xiaoli have been friends for many years, and they often go to the supermarket together to share the bits and pieces of life. Today, as usual, they pick fresh fruits in the fruit section.
"Xiaoli, how about you come and take a look at these bananas?" Li Hua asked as he picked up a bunch of yellow and clear bananas.
Xiaoli walked over, looked at it carefully, and sniffed again, "This banana looks quite fresh, but why does it have a strange smell?"
Li Hua also sniffed, "It's a bit pungent, I've seen some reports on the Internet that some businesses use chemicals in order to keep them fresh." I'm worried that these bananas have also been processed. ”
Xiaoli showed a worried look after hearing this, "Then wouldn't it be harmful to our body if we eat it?"
"Yes, food safety really can't be ignored. Li Hua sighed, "I think we should test these bananas to confirm whether they are safe." ”
Xiaoli nodded in agreement, "Yes, we have to be responsible for our own health." Let's go get tested!"
In this way, Li Hua and Xiaoli decided to take action, for their health, and for the food safety of more people. Their stories allow us to see the concerns and actions of ordinary consumers about food safety, and also remind us to be more vigilant about food safety issues in our daily lives.
01
Formaldehyde bananas, as the name suggests, refer to those bananas that have been treated with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, a toxic chemical, is commonly used in the manufacture of adhesives, dyes, and preservatives. However, when it is used by unscrupulous traders to preserve the freshness of fruits, it poses a serious food safety hazard.
First of all, formaldehyde is extremely harmful to the human body. If you eat foods containing formaldehyde for a long time, it will cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract, may cause allergic reactions, and even potentially cause cancer, resulting in a variety of health problems. In particular, it is more harmful to sensitive groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Secondly, the existence of formaldehyde bananas has also seriously undermined the market order and consumer trust. When consumers buy fruits, it is often difficult to distinguish which ones are chemically processed, which not only deprives consumers of their right to know, but also harms their health rights. At the same time, this kind of unfair competition has also discouraged the enthusiasm of legitimate merchants and disrupted the normal market order.
In addition, formaldehyde bananas may also cause pollution to the environment. During the treatment process, formaldehyde may leak into soil and water sources, causing long-term effects on the ecological environment. This not only threatens the living environment of humans, but also poses a potential threat to other living beings.
02
Identification method:
Observational Method:
Color: Normal bananas are golden yellow or turquoise, formaldehyde-soaked bananas may be more vivid in color and have a smooth surface.
Navel: Normal bananas have uniform navels, while problem bananas may have uneven navels that appear yellow or gray.
Shank: The stalk of a normal banana is turquoise, while formaldehyde-treated stalks may turn brown or black.
Size: The problem banana may vary in size and be significantly different from the uniform size of a normal banana.
Smell method:
Normal bananas have a characteristic aroma, while formaldehyde-soaked bananas may emit a pungent or chemical odor.
Touch vs. Immersion:
Normal bananas feel soft to the touch and the skin is easy to peel off, while formaldehyde soaking may feel hard and sticky to the skin.
If the banana is soaked in water, the normal banana flesh should be white, while the formaldehyde treatment may turn yellow or brown.
Reagent detection method:
A positive result is tested using a specialized formaldehyde reagent, indicating that the banana has been treated with formaldehyde.
How to avoid it:
Choose a reliable source:
When buying bananas, choose reputable merchants or markets and avoid buying bananas from unknown sources.
Pay attention to the appearance:
Avoid choosing bananas that are too bright in color, have a smooth surface, and have no blemishes, which can be a sign of formaldehyde treatment.
Smell it:
Smell the smell of bananas before buying them, and avoid buying them if they have a pungent or chemical smell.
Understand seasonality and territoriality:
Know the season and origin of bananas and avoid buying them off-season or off-origin to reduce the risk of buying processed bananas.
Follow the relevant reports and alerts:
Pay attention to food safety-related news stories to stay up to date on which brands and sources of bananas may be safe.
03
Ripening mangoes:
Some mangoes may be ripened with quicklime or hydrated lime to make the mango look fresher and more ripe. However, these ripening substances may contain harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, which pose a potential threat to human health. Therefore, when buying mangoes, consumers should choose those mangoes that are naturally ripe, and try to avoid buying mangoes that have been artificially ripened.
Lychee soaked in the potion:
In order to ensure the freshness of lychees and extend the shelf life, some merchants may use a potion to soak lychees. However, these potions may contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, which can be harmful to human health. Prolonged ingestion of lychees that have been soaked in medicinal solutions may increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, when buying lychees, consumers should choose fresh lychees that have not been treated with medicated solutions.
Note: The health and wellness suggestions in the article are for reference only (part of the picture is from the Internet, and the infringement contact is deleted)