How to choose safe dried bamboo shoots

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According to the Food Safety Department, recently many samples of dried bamboo shoots have been found to have sulfur and sulfite chemical residues that pose a risk to consumers' health. Sulfur (or sulfuric acid) is often used in the drying process of bamboo shoots to prevent mildew and create a more beautiful yellow color. There are cases where bleaching chemicals are soaked to make the product whiter to deceive consumers.

In Vietnam, sulfur is identified as a toxic chemical that is not allowed to be used in food processing and preservation. As recommended by the World Health Organization, the sulfur content should not exceed 20mg per kilogram of product.

If using food with high concentration of sulfur, long-term will cause neurological damage, behavioral changes, circulatory system effects, cardiovascular function, eye damage, vision loss, functional effects Reproductive, brain development... In acute cases, there are symptoms of stuffy nose, watery eyes, headache, chest tightness.... More severe can cause lung damage, eyes even cause infection. blood poisoning, kidney failure…

Here are some guidelines when choosing dried bamboo shoots:

1. Choose bamboo shoots to ensure food safety

- Bamboo shoots are pale yellow-brown, amber-colored appearance, meticulous veins, thick flesh width. When touching, it does not feel wet, can be broken.

- Bamboo shoots still retain a characteristic aroma, no strange smell, no mold.

- Only buy dried bamboo shoots preserved in nylon bags with labels, addresses, and clear origins.

2. Recognizing that bamboo shoots do not guarantee food safety

- Sulfur-dried bamboo shoots will have a characteristic burning smell. When you smell it, there will be a clear SO2 smell.

- Chemically soaked bamboo shoots often have a glossy, eye-catching look, and never get moldy.

- Do not buy bamboo shoots with unusual colors.

- Limit buying sour bamboo shoots outside the normal harvest season.

3. How to treat bamboo shoots before processing:

- Bamboo shoots need to be washed thoroughly with clean water (especially for dry bamboo shoots, they need to be washed, then filled with water, soaked in warm water or rice water for one night).

- Boil bamboo shoots with water changes 2 to 3 times (30 minutes each time).

- Do not use damaged or moldy bamboo shoots.

Phuong Trang - VnExpress