Plasticizers in spirits should not be secret

Although plasticizers exist in the air, soil and water, the public still has a right to know how much plasticizers Chinese spirits have.

Plasticizers should not become the “hidden rules” of an industry that concerns the health of hundreds of millions of consumers.

Are there any specific standards limiting plasticizer’s volume in spirits? This is the question on most people’s minds after hearing the news. Some even compared it to the recent melamine scandal in China’s food industries.

China does not have a test standard for plasticizers in spirits now. The Chinese Alcoholic Drinks Association confirmed that almost all spirits contain plasticizers, which come from the plastic containers or pipes used in the production process.

The association also said that the whole industry and supervision authorities have already noticed the problem and will create relevant standards as soon as possible.

Were it not for the media’s involvement, plasticizers in spirits would have remained an internal secret of the industry, despite plasticizers well-known harmful effects to human health.

Food safety and public health authorities must take timely measures to solve the problem before it evolves into a crisis. And the other food industries using plastic containers and pipes should also be put under close scrutiny and supervision.