Tests on four China-made candy and biscuit products, which are available in Singapore, show that they are safe for consumption.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it carried out tests on these four items - White Rabbit Creamy Candy, Milk Candy, Balron Grape Biscuits and Yong Kang Foods Grape Biscuits which were withdrawn by the Philippines Food and Drug Agency for possible formaldehyde contamination.

Formaldehyde is a chemical that is not permitted for use as a food additive. However, formaldehyde occurs naturally at low levels in a wide range of foods. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established a tolerable daily intake of 0.15 mg/kg body weight for formaldehyde.

Of the four products, only the White Rabbit Creamy Candy is imported into Singapore. However, Singapore also imports Bairong Grape Biscuits, which has a similar name to Balron Grape Biscuits. Samples of both Bairong Grape Biscuits and White Rabbit Creamy Candy were taken for testing.

Said the AVA in a statement today: "Our tests indicate that there were minute amounts of formaldehyde in the samples of White Rabbit Creamy Candy and Bairong Grape Biscuits tested. However, based on the TDI established by WHO, normal consumption of these products would not pose a health risk.

"The presence of the minute amounts of formaldehyde could be due to its natural occurrence in the ingredients used for making the products. There is no evidence to suggest that formaldehyde was added into the products as a preservative."

About 275,000 kg of White Rabbit Creamy Candy and 269,000 kg of Bairong Grape Biscuits were imported into Singapore in 2006.

"AVA would like to assure the public that the White Rabbit Creamy Candy and Bairong Grape Biscuits available in Singapore are safe for consumption. Nevertheless, AVA will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that food products sold in Singapore are safe for consumption," said AVA.
Formaldehyde is used in resin production. It is well known as a preservative and embalming fluid, and is classified as a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen.

Several countries have cracked down on Chinese products since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found in April that North American dogs and cats had been poisoned by tainted Chinese pet food ingredients. Since then, a growing number of Chinese products have been found to contain potentially toxic chemicals and other adulterants.

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