China Sets Nitrite Limits for Edible Bird's Nests

   2012-04-05 21:46:54    Xinhua      Web Editor: Zhangjin
China on Thursday announced the tolerable maximum of nitrite in edible bird's nests, after some products with Malaysian origins sparked safety concerns for containing too much of the chemical, which if consumed excessively may lead to death.

The provisional standard issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) stipulated that each kilogram of edible nests should contain no more than 30 mg of nitrite, a level equivalent to that allowable in China's pork products.

According to a joint study by Chinese and Malaysian food authorities and experts, the health risk of edible bird's nests with the set level of nitrite is extremely low.

Meanwhile, the MOH stressed that nitrite is banned from being artificially added during processing and production of edible bird's nests, a crime that carries severe punishment.

According to health experts, edible bird's nests naturally contain nitrite but cleansing with water may effectively reduce the levels of chemicals in the products.

Widely considered a health product for skin and beauty treatments, edible bird's nests are popular among Asian people, especially the Chinese. Malaysia is one of the world's biggest exporters of bird's nests, with 95 percent of its bird's nest products being sold to China.
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