How to tell whether food has expired?

Experts teach you how to identify expired food

After the report of expired food changing its "birthday" before entering the mall was published in the newspaper, it aroused strong response from the public. Many readers were concerned about the dangers and how to identify expired food. Food expresses concern

Experts teach you how to identify expired food

You can tell whether the food has expired by its appearance and smell. Citizens who find expired food sold in shopping malls can call 12315 to report it

Huang Wei, chief of the Nutrition and Food Hygiene Section of the Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters that some citizens believe that the expiration date does not mean that the food cannot be eaten, but only that it cannot be eaten. The quality decreases, the flavor changes, and the taste becomes worse. But this view is actually wrong. Food that has exceeded its shelf life may cause bacteria to multiply, which can lead to "biological" food poisoning and acute infectious diseases after consumption; on the other hand, expired food can also cause chemical changes (such as oil rancidity), which can lead to "chemical poisoning" after consumption. type” food poisoning. So the corn bars temporarily detained by the law enforcement authorities in this law enforcement operation are puffed food that has expired for half a year. What impact will it have on the human body if eaten? Huang Wei said that many puffed foods are currently fried before puffing. Once the shelf life of fried foods exceeds their shelf life, the chemical changes caused by them will accumulate in the body after consumption, making it easier for cells to become cancerous and cause chronic diseases. "Therefore, you should pay special attention when purchasing fried foods, such as potato chips, instant noodles, etc. Once you find expired fried foods, be sure not to eat them." Huang Wei said.

In terms of identifying expired food, Huang Wei believes that it can be distinguished by its appearance and smell - if the meat is sticky, the dairy products are tofu-like, the cakes are moldy and smelly, then they must be expired. of. However, there are differences in the time it takes for different foods to cause bacteria to multiply, produce chemical changes, or change their nutritional content after the shelf life has passed. For example, meat and dairy products may change once they have passed the shelf life, while candies, biscuits, and alcoholic beverages may undergo changes. It may take a long time for the changes to occur, because high sugar content, low water content and alcohol content will inhibit the growth of bacteria and other changes. Therefore, it is more difficult for citizens to distinguish some foods that are not prone to change.

Fang Youchuan, deputy director of the Market Management Office of the Municipal Industry and Commerce Bureau, said that when purchasing food, you should choose food with standardized labels. He said that according to relevant regulations, the labels of food produced by regular manufacturers are relatively standardized. If the outer packaging shows the production date on the seal, but the corresponding date cannot be found on the seal, then the label must be irregular. If the production date looks blurry or missing, then the label is also irregular. Fang Youchuan reminded citizens that if they see irregular labels on packaging, they must be careful when buying. Once you find expired food being sold, you can call 12315 to complain or report.

According to the reporter’s understanding, the city’s industrial and commercial department has launched a comprehensive investigation into the case. The relevant person in charge of the Economic Inspection Brigade of the Municipal Industry and Commerce Bureau stated that once verified, companies with illegal activities will be included in the "blacklist" of dishonest enterprises and announced to the public.