Toxic chemicals found in Chinese-made bean jam
Small quantities of toxic chemicals toluene and ethyl acetate have been found in more bean jam imported from China by a Shizuoka Prefecture food company, local governments said. The announcements come after traces of the chemicals were found in bean jam imported by the same company and sold in Nagoya.
In August, a couple living in Kai, Yamanashi Prefecture, began vomiting after eating some of the jam, according to Yamanashi Prefectural Government officials. After learning from news reports that traces of toluene and ethyl acetate had been found in the same type of bean jam sold in Nagoya, the couple contacted a local health center on Oct. 8.
A research institute in Shizuoka Prefecture analyzed some of the jam, and found it to contain 0.006 parts per million (ppm) of toluene and 0.31 ppm of ethyl acetate.
In Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, three residents suffered stomachaches or dizziness after eating bean jam sold at a supermarket in the city, municipal government officials said. Levels of toluene between 0.016 and 0.029 ppm and ethyl acetate between 0.42 and 0.51 ppm were subsequently found in the bean jam imported from China.
The jam was imported by Maruwa Foods, based in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture.
