The Economist of 18 June has reported dangerous level of industrial plastics in soft drinks. These are used to make shoes and hosepipes more flexible. China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Philippines have withdrawn Taiwanese products from super market shelves. Some 900 products have been pulled from nearly 40,000 Taiwanese shops.
Among other things plastics were substituted for palm oil as clouding agents in drinks. One plastic known as DEHP is a possible carcinogen, which can play havoc with children’s reproductive organs. Even ice cream is being avoided due to the scare. We ought to beware if our soft drinks and ice cream manufacturers are using such plastics, which can be dangerous to human health. The health department should check local food products for contamination if any in these products.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
