Thailand should beware as many food items from South China are laden with Chlorate that poses a health risk

Thailand News: Thailand, a country known for its love of diverse cuisine, must be vigilant when it comes to food safety. As an increasing number of food products from South China - ranging from fresh vegetables and fruits to meats and processed foods - cross into Thailand through its porous borders (legally and illegally), recent research raises alarming concerns about the health risks posed by these imports. A study conducted by Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Shenzhen Institute of Quality & Safety Inspection and Research has revealed a widespread presence of chlorate contamination in food items from South China, posing potential health hazards.
This Thailand News report focuses on findings from the study, which examined 531 food samples from the South China region, highlighting the dangers of chlorate - a chemical primarily used in industrial and agricultural applications but now posing risks to human health through dietary exposure.


Graphical Abstract - Many food items from South China are laden with Chlorate that poses a health risk

What Is Chlorate and Why Is It Dangerous?
Chlorate (ClO₃⁻) is an inorganic chemical primarily utilized in industrial processes like manufacturing herbicides, fireworks, and pulp bleaching. While it serves various practical purposes, chlorate's high toxicity to humans cannot be overlooked. Excessive exposure has been linked to thyroid dysfunction, kidney damage, and blood disorders. Even short-term consumption of high doses - 5 to 10 grams of sodium chlorate - can cause life-threatening conditions such as hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
 
Alarmingly, chlorate is difficult to degrade and can easily enter food systems through contaminated water or the misuse of chlorine-based disinfectants. International health entities recommends a maximum daily intake of 30 μg/kg body weight, while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) advises even stricter limits of 3 μg/kg body weight. Despite these guidelines, many countries, including China, have yet to establish regulations for chlorate contamination in food, compounding the risks for consumers.
 
Study Overview: Chlorate in South China's Food Supply
The study analyzed six major food categories: vegetables, fruits, seafood, poultry/meat, eggs, and staple foods like rice and wheat. Samples were collected from key locations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, reflecting the broader food supply chain in South China. Here’s what researchers uncovered:
 
-Detection Rates: Over 50% of all tested food samples contained chlorate, with vegetables showing the highest detection rate (91.2%), followed by seafood (80.7%), poultry/meat (78.8%), eggs (75%), fruits (62.5%), and staple foods (57.6%).
 
-Concentration Levels: Chlorate levels ranged from non-detectable to 145 μg/kg. Vegetables exhibited the highest median concentration (4.09 μg/kg), l ikely due to their direct exposure to contaminated water or disinfectants during cultivation and processing.
 
-Health Risks: Hazard quotient (HQ) values - a measure of risk based on chlorate intake—exceeded 1 for several age groups, indicating potential health concerns. The study emphasized that children and older adults, being more vulnerable to chemical exposures, could face significant risks from consuming these contaminated foods.
 
Why Are Chlorate Levels Increasing?
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread use of chlorine-based disinfectants to combat the virus in public spaces, hospitals, and food production facilities. While effective in controlling pathogens, these disinfectants have inadvertently contributed to higher chlorate levels in the environment. For instance, chemicals like sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide, used for water purification and surface cleaning, break down into chlorate, contaminating soil, water, and ultimately food.
 
This situation underscores the unintended consequences of pandemic-era sanitation practices. Without stringent regulations and oversight, chlorate contamination is likely to persist or worsen, raising concerns for food-importing nations like Thailand.
 
Key Study Findings
-Vegetables Are the Main Culprit: The study identified vegetables as the highest contributor to dietary chlorate exposure. Due to their extensive surface area and frequent exposure to contaminated irrigation water, they absorb and retain significant amounts of the chemical.
 
-Seafood Also a Concern: Seafood samples, particularly shrimp and fish, showed elevated chlorate concentrations, which researchers attributed to contamination in aquaculture ponds treated with disinfectants.
 
-Poultry and Meat: While lower than vegetables, poultry and meat products were not free from chlorate contamination. This is concerning given their dietary significance in many households.
 
-Regional Variation: The data suggests contamination levels may vary based on local agricultural and processing practices, though the study primarily focused on South China.
 
Implications for Thailand
For Thailand, these findings are a wake-up call. As imports (both legal and illegal) from China form a significant portion of the local food market, regulatory bodies and consumers alike must prioritize food safety. Increased border inspections, stricter import standards, and better public awareness can help mitigate the risks of chlorate exposure.
 
Additionally, fostering stronger collaboration with food safety organizations and researchers could provide valuable insights into addressing this issue. Local farmers and suppliers should also be educated on alternative, safer methods of disinfection to prevent similar contamination within Thailand’s domestic food supply chain.
 
Conclusion
The study's findings serve as a crucial reminder of the hidden dangers in our food supply. With chlorate contamination present in more than half of the tested samples and vegetables bearing the brunt of the problem, it’s clear that the issue demands immediate attention. Thailand, as a major consumer of imported Chinese goods, must take proactive steps to safeguard public health. This includes stricter monitoring of imported foods, public education campaigns, and international cooperation to enforce better standards for chlorate use in agriculture and food processing.
 
Ultimately, reducing chlorate exposure is essential not only for protecting individual health but also for ensuring the long-term safety of Thailand’s food system.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Science of the Total Environment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691524006860
 
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