Are food products in Dubai
Bobby: "I am not sure about the source and origin of the information you have, but will try to answer you.
Estrogen is not added as a hormone in food because it does not have any properties that can enhance food quality. However, certain hormones are used while growing animals (not estrogen). Protein hormone rbGH is used to increase milk production in dairy cattle in some countries but this protein hormone is not used on beef cattle.
There are some chemicals that can mimic hormones ( some steroids), but they are not mixed with food intentionally. There have been a lot of discussions on the Estrogenic properties of BPA used in plastics. Several research works have been done in Europe and USA
Sugar, salt or any food for that matter can be injurious to health if not used properly.
Let us look at the principles of food safety:
Þ Normal food eaten in abnormal quantities is unsafe for a normal person (eg. sugar, salt, water, rice…)
Þ Abnormal food eaten in normal quantities is unsafe for a normal person (eg. Pesticides, phytotoxins etc)
Þ Normal food eaten in normal quantities by an abnormal person is unsafe (eg : A diabetic eating sugar, peanut eaten by people allergic to it)
That should answer your question related to most foods. Sugar or any food with sugar must be eaten in limited quantities. It is the balance of diet that is more important. Sugar and salt are preservatives in some cases and in some they are added just for the taste. You do not want to consume large quantities of preserved food ( pickle is an example).
Reporter:Are food products in Dubai
No one enhances a food product with hormones because there is no need for it. Hormones are chemical messengers that affect living organisms (plants, animals).
Reporter:Can the packaging used to package food products also have an impact on their hormone content, for example, it has been seen in chicken packaged in certain plastics?
Are you talking about chemicals that mimic hormones?
Reporter:Is there an especially high level of estrogen or sugar in local foods?
Sugar is added as per the preference of the people. I am not sure about the foods that you are talking about. But, a sugar candy has a lots of sugar and so do fruit drinks, chocolates, ice cream and cakes. They are not to be eaten in abnormal quantities.
Reporter:If so, why are these hormones/sugar being added to products?
I can understand the link between hormones and sugar. Why shouldn't sugar be added to any food?
Sugar gives a preferable taste and is one of the oldest forms of preservative.
Reporter:Is it expert opinion that that such extra hormones or sugar can have an impact on the health of consumers?
This goes back to the food safety principles.
It is hard to answer a question when it is not presented with evidence. We can assure you that we have a very good control on the safety of foods. We have specific standards for ingredients in each food and we test this to confirm that manufacturers do not exceed limits. However, we cannot control consumer habits and consumption patterns.
No definite link
It is necessary to point out that there is no evidence yet to prove that there is a definite link between the consumption of estrogenic compounds and estrogen dominance. This is a point Bobby Krishna Thulasi, a senior in the Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality, seems adamant to make.
"Several research works have been done in Europe and the US to assess the safety of BPA used in plastics that come in contact with the food, but no studies have been conclusive," Thulasi said.
Are you concerned about the harmful effects of mass-produced food items? What do you do to make sure the food you eat is completely healthy and safe?
