China: Formaldehyde illegally used in 95% of Chinese beer

Formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent, is used in 95 % of Chinese beer, Globe Times published on July 7. In China, the Food Safety Law bans use of formaldehyde in beer for any purpose. Only 5 % of Chinese beer, mostly premium beer, is free of artificial formaldehyde.

According to the story, formaldehyde is used in beer to eliminate the precipitates, which form during storage. European countries ban use of formaldehyde in beer because of its toxicity. A level of more than 0.2 mg per liter may stress the liver and long term consumption of such beer could affect the reproductive system, according to the story.

Professor Gu GuoXian, Deputy Director of the Chinese Brewery Industry Society Division of Beer Brewery, was cited by Globe Times as saying that the residue of formaldehyde in beer is low enough not to cause any harm. But he pointed out that formaldehyde should not be added to beer for any purpose because the Food Safety Law bans its use. Also, addition of formaldehyde destroys the natural flavor of beer.

Professor Gu was further cited as saying that the limit of natural formaldehyde in beer is 0.2 parts per million (ppm) or 0.2 mg per liter, but the formaldehyde content in Chinese beer can be commonly found at a level of up to 1.2 ppm.

In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of formaldehyde solution (37 percent) in chicken to inhibit salmonella growth for up to 14 days. The use limit is set at 5.4 pounds per ton or 2.5 kilograms per ton, which is equivalent to 925 ppm.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed formaldehyde in gas as a carcinogen.

11 July, 2005