Xinjiang Maiquer pure milk was found to be unqualified for propylene glycol, and the preliminary investigation was caused by the use of flavors beyond the scope

　　Why is it not advisable to say "smell the fragrance and know the milk"?


　　On June 30, the entry "Xinjiang Maiqu'er pure milk is unqualified" once rushed to the top of Weibo's hot search.

According to a report from China Quality News Network, in the fourth phase of food sampling inspection in 2022 announced by the Qingyuan County Market Supervision Bureau of Zhejiang Province recently, it was stated that two batches produced by Maiquer Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Maiquer") Sub-pure milk is unqualified, and the unqualified item is propylene glycol.

The day before yesterday, the incident had the latest progress: after preliminary investigation and analysis, the propylene glycol detected in Mai Qier's pure milk was caused by the company's excessive use of food additives and flavors in the production process.

At present, the market supervision department has filed an investigation for the illegal use of food additives by Mai Qier Company.

　　Many people expressed concern after seeing the news. Many people also left a message saying that they had just stocked up a lot when they were engaged in activities online, and some people were still expecting to give birth.

What is Propylene Glycol?

How dangerous is propylene glycol?

Can you still drink milk?

　　What is Propylene Glycol?

　　Chinese standards stipulate that it can be used in flour products

　　Propylene glycol is an emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer.

"Propylene glycol" feels like an unfamiliar chemical.

In fact, propylene glycol is very close to the alcohol (ethanol) that is common (drinking) in our lives.

Propylene glycol and alcohol are close relatives, and the two have similar origins and similar structures.

If you consume a lot of propylene glycol, it is similar to drinking too much alcohol, such as dizziness, feeling unsteady, etc. You can understand that it is similar to being drunk.

　　However, according to Chinese standards, propylene glycol can be used in flour products, but not in dairy products.

And its esterification - propylene glycol fatty acid ester can be used in dairy products, but does not include sterilized milk (often referred to as pure milk).

Therefore, this Mai Qier pure milk is definitely illegal, and it belongs to the use of food additives beyond the scope.

　　Propylene Glycol in Pure Milk

　　What harm will there be?

　　Toxicological data show that the median lethal dose of propylene glycol in rats is 6423 mg per kilogram of body weight. In one study, rats were fed food containing 200-2100 mg of propylene glycol per kilogram for 104 consecutive weeks, and no animal death or obvious abnormality was found.

　　The food additive JECFA of the International Codex Alimentarius Commission conducted a safety evaluation and found that the ADI value of its daily intake should not exceed 0-25 mg per kilogram of body weight; There will be problems.

　　The US Food and Drug Administration believes that when propylene glycol intake is at or near lethal levels (more than 6 grams per kilogram of body weight), it has been found in some animal experiments that it may cause kidney damage in animals.

However, in view of the fact that the general intake of human beings is extremely low, there is no evidence that propylene glycol will cause harm to humans. The FDA's safety assessment of propylene glycol is GRAS, which is generally considered safe.

　　The propylene glycol detected in these two types of milk was 0.32 g/kg. According to a rough estimate from toxicological data, a person weighing 60 kg would have to drink 4.7 kg per day to "exceed the standard", while a child weighing 15 kg would drink 4.7 kg per day. To drink 1.25 kg.

Think about it, how much can you drink?

　　In general, this milk is indeed a substandard product, but if you drink milk normally, you don't have to worry about what propylene glycol will do to you.

So, you don't have to worry too much, and you can wait in peace.

If you are really worried, you can buy another brand of milk instead.

　　"Smell the fragrance and know the milk" is not advisable

　　Too easy to be conquered by fragrance

　　Many netizens on the Internet said that this milk is very fragrant.

In its official flagship store, a big selling point of product promotion is "natural milky, mellow and rich aroma".

You must know that pure milk is sterilized milk and is not allowed to add flavors.

So it could also be because it uses fragrances in its production, and propylene glycol is a solvent for a lot of fragrances.

In fact, I have never advocated that people choose milk based on milk flavor. Many people often say that a certain milk tastes particularly fragrant, so they want to buy it.

　　However, "smell the fragrance and know the milk" is too easy to be conquered by the fragrance, so the very fragrant milk you buy is likely to be flavored.

The key is to look at the nutrition label and ingredient list, and pay attention to whether its raw materials are mainly milk (or milk powder) and the content of protein and fat.

　　Here is a suggestion for you. Next time, you can buy another brand of milk. The priority is to choose the milk of the big brand. Usually, the quality is more guaranteed.

In addition, in addition to pure milk, yogurt and cheese are also good choices.

　　Text / Ruan Guangfeng (Director of Science and Technology Department of Food and Nutrition Information Exchange Center)