Degenerative diseases threaten children<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The future of Indonesia will be \"horrifying\" as
\nthe younger generation will be prone to rampant degenerative
\ndiseases due to the wrong consumption pattern.<\/p>\n
Such an expectation is no exaggeration if we look at the
\nresearch conducted by the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI)
\nlast May and June on snacks sold by food vendors in the
\nvicinities of elementary schools in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The research showed that the snacks contained food substances
\nwhich have even been prohibited by the government because they
\ncould cause degenerative diseases.<\/p>\n
\"There is no data so far showing that people are getting
\ndegenerative diseases due to consuming snacks from food vendors
\nbut our research has shown that they often contain substances
\nwhich give rise to such diseases,\" YLKI researcher Ilyani
\nSudradjat said.<\/p>\n
The research showed that 47 percent of the 17 food samples
\ncontained prohibited synthetic colorants, like Rhodamine B, which
\nin laboratory studies has been shown to cause the growth of
\ncoarse body hair, aggressiveness, nervousness and slow growth,
\nand Metanil Yellow, a substance known to be a carcinogen.<\/p>\n
\"Surprisingly, the Indonesian government still gives permit
\nfor the distribution of colorants which have been prohibited in
\nother countries like Sweden, the United States of America and
\neven by the World Health Organization. These substances include
\nTartrazine, Brilliant Blue, Ponceau 4R and Carmoisine,\" Ilyani
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The foodstuffs' also contained dangerous sweeteners like
\nSaccharine which was found in 63.6 percent of the samples.
\nSaccharine can cause cancer in the urinary system. Another
\ndangerous substance found was Cyclamate which can cause damage to
\nchromosomes and was found in 27.3 percent of the samples.<\/p>\n
The research also showed that 12.5 percent of the food samples
\ncontained borax, which is usually used as a preservative or to
\nproduce a rubbery effect in certain kinds of foodstuff.<\/p>\n
\"Borax has actually been prohibited in Indonesia because it
\ncan damage the metabolic system and reproductive organs. But the
\nsubstance can easily be found in markets,\" Ilyani added.<\/p>\n
In fact, dangerous substances are not only found in \"cheap\"
\nsnacks but also in those produced by big manufacturers as was
\nshown by a 1999 survey by the Kakak Foundation on child
\nconsumers. Ilyani said that he problem was mostly due to the lack
\nof government control.(ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/degenerative-diseases-threaten-children-1447893297",
"image": ""
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