Weilai "Kissing Burn" Recalled in Japan Due to Food Additive Regulations: Global Differences in Standards

Weilai "Kissing Burn" Recalled in Japan Due to Food Additive Regulations: Global Differences in StandardsRecently, news broke that over 43 kilograms of Weilai's "Kissing Burn" snack were recalled in Japan due to the detection of TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone), a food additive prohibited in Japan. This has sparked a heated discussion, with some lamenting China's "lax" food additive standards

Weilai "Kissing Burn" Recalled in Japan Due to Food Additive Regulations: Global Differences in Standards

Recently, news broke that over 43 kilograms of Weilai's "Kissing Burn" snack were recalled in Japan due to the detection of TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone), a food additive prohibited in Japan. This has sparked a heated discussion, with some lamenting China's "lax" food additive standards. However, this is not entirely accurate.

Differences in food additive regulations are common across the globe, not just in China. This "A country allows it, B country doesn't; B country allows it, A country doesn't" phenomenon occurs frequently between countries. For instance, in 2023, Japan became the country with the most food products rejected at customs due to regulations, while in 2022, China rejected several Japanese food items due to the misuse of nutritional fortifiers. This crossover doesn't necessarily indicate a superior standard for either party but rather reflects differences in their food safety regulatory systems.

The TBHQ in this case is not a "banned everywhere except China" food additive. It's permitted in both the US and the EU. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for TBHQ at 0.7mg/kg body weight in 1998. Currently, most countries allow a maximum usage dosage of 200mg/kg food.

So, is TBHQ truly harmful to humans? Studies indicate that TBHQ has a protective effect when used in moderation. In vitro experiments show that low concentrations of TBHQ can activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, promoting the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Animal studies indicate that TBHQ, at certain doses, can alleviate brain inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, long-term exposure to higher doses of TBHQ can have adverse effects on public health, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity.

The toxicity and safety of TBHQ primarily manifest in the following:

• Acute Toxicity: The LD50 (median lethal dose) for rats is 700-1000mg/kg, indicating significant toxicity at high doses.

• Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity: High doses of TBHQ can lead to DNA damage in stomach cells and trigger oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys. Its metabolite, TBBQ, exhibits even stronger cytotoxicity than TBHQ, potentially inducing apoptosis and cancer.

• Potential Health Risks: TBHQ can lower glutathione and ATP levels in the body, increase reactive oxygen species generation, and lead to oxidative damage. It also increases the risk of certain cancers by affecting gene expression.

• Accumulative Intake Risk: While TBHQ accumulates at low levels in the body, excessive intake over long periods can potentially trigger chronic illnesses.

• Human Metabolism and Excretion: TBHQ is largely absorbed after oral ingestion and metabolized to TBBQ in the liver. Within 24 hours, TBHQ is mainly excreted in the urine as sulfates and glucuronides, while a small amount of unabsorbed TBHQ is excreted through feces.

Therefore, the key is to consume TBHQ in moderation. Generally speaking, consuming food containing TBHQ, such as Weilai's "Kissing Burn," one or two times a week, according to its excretion efficiency, should not lead to accumulation effects.

As for why Japan bans TBHQ, there is currently no definitive explanation. Similarly, the Japanese drug EVE contains provalone, a substance banned globally but exclusively used in Japan, which also remains unexplained.

In conclusion, differences exist in food additive regulations across countries, but it doesn't imply one standard is superior to another. Consumers should adopt a rational perspective towards food additives, prioritize their health, and maintain a balanced intake.

References:

[1] https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20240315A094B700

[2] http://food.china.com.cn/2022-12/21/content_85021149.htm

[3] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=172.185

[4] https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4363

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9764193/

[6] https://www.zhihu.com/question/305558556/answer/1554015040

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