Packaging Food for Health Hazards

Food packaging is part of wrapping the food we consume daily. For most people just from food packaging food packaging and food tends to be regarded as a protector, it’s really very dangerous for the health of our bodies.

There are some food packaging materials that need to be aware of:

1. Plastic

Packaging materials that are easily available and a very flexible usage. Every day we use plastic, either for processing, storing or packing of food. Rather than traditional packaging such as leaves or animal skins, plastic is more practical and durable. The disadvantage is that plastic is heat resistant and can contaminate the product due to migration of the monomer components that would adversely impact the health of consumers. In addition, the plastic is also problematic for the environment because it is a material that can not be destroyed quickly and naturally (non-biodegradable). Keep in mind that the plastic is actually odorless and colorless. So avoid using plastic smell and dark color to wrap food directly.

Crackle black plastic that is often used as a wrapper fried, plastic cups used for boiling water, bottled mineral water in the sun every day, and the use of plastic kilogram to make diamond, are examples of the use of plastic packaging is wrong and very dangerous. As a result of the use of plastics that do not fit with this function, it is feared will happen displacement chemical components from the plastic into the food and can cause cancer.

In addition to direct packaging of foodstuffs, is often used as paper coatings. Various types of plastic alone, there are Polyethylene, Polypropylen, Poly Vinyl chloride (PVC), and Vinylidene Chloride Resin. Generally plastic polymer that is composed of long chains and units called monomers smaller. These polymers can enter the human body because it is not soluble, so if there is accumulation in the body will cause cancer. When food is wrapped in plastic, these monomers can migrate into food, and then move on to the body of people who consume them. Chemicals that have been entered into the body is not soluble in water so it can not be thrown out, either through urine or stool (feces).

Relatively safe to use for food is Polyethylene which look clear, and Polypropylen a softer and slightly thicker. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) is usually used for wrapping candy, rice paper coating and covering materials for very thin and transparent. While Vinylidene Chloride Resin and Poly Vinyl chloride (PVC) when used to package materials that heat will be contaminated dioxin, a toxin that is harmful to humans.

2. Styrofoam

Styrofoam is made from styrene copolymer, capable of preventing leakage and retains its shape when held. Styrofoam able to retain heat and cold, able to maintain the freshness and integrity of the packaged material, and also low cost, and lightweight.

In July 2001, the Food Safety Division of the Government of Japan revealed that residues in food is very harmful styrofoam. Residues that can cause endocrine disrupter (EDC), which is a disease that occurs due to a disturbance in the system and reproductive endocrinology humans from chemical carcinogens in food. Indirectly if we often use Styrofoam can cause cancer.

Currently there are many fast food restaurants are still using styrofoam as containers for food or drink. Wherever possible we should avoid the use of styrofoam for hot food or drink, because as well as plastic, high temperature causes the displacement of chemical components in the diffusion of styrofoam into the food.

3. Paper

Some non-packaging paper and packaging (paper newspapers and magazines) are often used to wrap food, containing detectable lead (Pb) exceeds the specified limits. In the human body, lead entering through the respiratory or digestive tract into the circulatory system and then spread to various other tissues, such as: kidney, liver, brain, nerves and bones.

Lead poisoning in adults is characterized by symptoms 3 P, ie pallor (pale), pain (pain) & paralysis (paralysis). Poisoning that occurred can be chronic and acute. Use of paper that has been bleached and is often used for packaging tea bags are also harmful to the body. Paper is dangerous because it has been added bleach (chlorine), an element that can cause cancer. Examples of products that use this type of paper is a tea bag and tissue. When exposed to high temperatures will produce dioxin, a toxic compound that is harmful to our health.

In 1998, WHO set safe levels of consumption of dioxin, which is 1-4 picogram (sepertriliun grams) of dioxin per kilogram of body weight. In small amounts it is very dangerous, especially when large amounts of dioxin will then be carcinogenic (causing cancer). Higher concentrations will cause skin disease chloracne (a severe acne accompanied by skin eruptions and cysts). In addition to dioxin will also cause male reproductive hormones decrease by 50% and causes prostate cancer and testicular cancer. In women, dioxin will cause breast cancer and endometriosis, the uterine mucous membrane tissue that is still functioning grows outside the uterine cavity. Therefore, to avoid the things above, if not forced to use tea (brewed tea) directly, and use a secure wrapper like banana leaves and aluminum foil. That’s the packaging materials and food containers are dangerous. With conditions still low awareness of society, then in addition pensosialisasian problem, we also began to have increasing caution.

4. Tin

In general, the food products packaged in cans will lose the image of the fresh flavor and nutritional value decreased due to high temperature processing. One more thing is also quite disturbing is the emergence of a sense of taint or taste like metal cans arising from tin coatings are not perfect. The main danger in canned food is the growth of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which can cause poisoning botulinin. Signs of poisoning include throat botulinin become stiff, eyes dazed and seizures that leads to death due to difficulty breathing. These bacteria usually grow in canned foods processing imperfect or leaking canned food inside so that contaminated air from the outside. Fortunately botulinin toxins are sensitive to warming.

In addition, when we will eat food that is packaged in cans need to reheating, which is about l5 minutes to avoid the presence of Escherichia coli bacteria that is deadly.

Carefully select the canned packaging is an attempt to avoid the dangers that are not desired. It’s OK to choose a slightly dented cans, provided there are no leaks. Besides canned leftovers immediately move to another place so that damage can occur and not be mmepengaruhi quality.

6. Newspaper

Newsprint and magazines are often used to wrap food, containing detectable lead (Pb) exceeds the specified limits. In the human body, lead us through the respiratory tract.

Lead poisoning in adults is characterized by symptoms of pale, sick, and lame. Poisoning can be chronic and acute. Did you know that heat and fatty material that is placed on the paper facilitate the migration of lead into food.

7. Plastic Bottles

Maybe some of us have the habit of using and reusing plastic bottles (Aqua, VIT etc), and put it in the car or office. This habit is not good, because the materials are plastic bottles (also known as polyethylene terephthalate or PET) used this dibotol2, zat2 contain carcinogens (or DEHA). Bottles are safe for use 1-2 times only, if you want to wear it longer, not more than a week, and should be placed at a distance from the sun.
Repeated washing habits can make a layer of broken plastic and carcinogenic substances that can enter the water we drink. Better to buy a bottle of water which is to be used
air-ulang2, do not use plastic bottles.

In addition, there are also some foods to watch out for by us:

1. Sate

If we eat satay, do not forget to eat the cucumber thereafter. Because when we eat satay actually come also from the burning charcoal carbon that can cause cancer.
For that, we have a remedy that is recommended to eat cucumber after eating satay. Because the sate has a substance carcinogens (causing cancer) but the cucumber did have anti-carcinogens. So do not forget to eat the cucumber after eating satay.

2. Shrimp and Vitamin C

Do not eat shrimp after we eat Vitamin C, as this will lead poisoning from toxic Arsenic (As) which is the reaction of shrimp and vitamin C in the body and cause of fatal poisoning in a matter of hours.

3. Instant Noodles

Instant Noodle fans, make sure we have an interval of at least 3 (three) days after we consume Instant noodles if we are going to consume more.
According to medical experts that turns artifacts wax that coats the noodles. That’s why Instant Noodles will not stick to each other when cooked.

If we look at the yellow Chinese noodles are commonly found in the market, from observation, uncooked noodles will look like greasy. This oil layer will avoid the sticky noodles with one another.

Wonton noodles are still raw, usually sprinkled flour to avoid sticking. When the cook will cook the noodles, he cooked it first in hot water, then rinsed / drained with cold water before cooking in hot water again. Cook and drain in this way will be able to avoid the stickiness of the noodles to each other. Provide oil and cook the sauce on the noodles from becoming sticky when it will be consumed dry (without sauce).

Rules of cooking in making Spaghetti (noodles Italy) will be needed the oil and butter are added prior to the cooking water to avoid sticky pasta Spaghetti them.

Consumption of instant noodles every day will increase the likelihood that a person infected with the cancer. Actor SBC (now TCS) in a few years ago, being so busy in a career that did not have time to cook, so he decided to eat Instant Noodles every day. Finally he had cancer.
His doctor said that this is caused because of the wax in instant noodles. The doctor said that our bodies need more than 2 (two) days to clear the wax.

Based on the above, if we contemplate it turns out almost all the food products we use everyday are made from materials above. Therefore, we should be wise in choosing the food or beverage products with packaging that is safe for the health of our bodies.