Experts teach you how to choose bamboo chopsticks

Recently, disposable chopsticks have been exposed again: Addition of additives that are not allowed by national standards-sodium metabisulfite and industrial paraffin-are used for whitening and polishing of chopsticks. These illegally added additives are carcinogens.

Dong Jinshi, secretary-general of the International Food Packaging Association, emphasized that most consumers are aware of the disadvantages of disposable chopsticks, but in fact, reusable chopsticks in homes and restaurants have hidden safety hazards, but they are often overlooked.

■ Market research

Multi-lacquered bamboo and wooden chopsticks on the market

As daily necessities, there are many types of chopsticks on the market, with different shapes, and prices are uneven. However, from April 11th to 13th, the reporter visited some supermarkets and farmers' markets in Chaoyang District and found that most of the chopsticks currently on the market are made of bamboo and wood, but they are coated with various materials. Color paint.

In the Jingxian Supermarket Jiuxianqiao store, the reporter saw that most of the chopsticks sold in the store were bamboo chopsticks, and some were wooden chopsticks, such as sandalwood chopsticks. In a farmer's market near Jiuxianqiao, the reporter saw that there are more types of chopsticks sold here. In addition to bamboo and wooden chopsticks, there are some imitation porcelain chopsticks and stainless steel chopsticks on sale.

Among the consumers who come to choose chopsticks, many people not only pay attention to the material of chopsticks but also care about whether the chopsticks are beautiful. The reporter found that even the chopsticks of the same material have different prices. Some chopsticks that are close to the original color of bamboo and wood are relatively cheap, while chopsticks coated with different colored paint are more expensive.

However, even if the chopsticks are also close to the original color, the reporter found that some are marked as painted, and some are marked as unpainted and original. Generally speaking, lacquered chopsticks sold on the market will mark the lacquer used as environmentally friendly paint on the outside of the package, which is non-toxic and harmless.

■ Safety Tips

Chopsticks should be washed before washing

Choosing the right chopsticks is not the end of using chopsticks safely. Dong Jinshi emphasized that the way and cycle of using chopsticks are also important factors affecting health.

Many households just wash the chopsticks casually. Dong Jinshi said that the correct way to wash should be to soak the chopsticks with detergent for a while and then rinse. The big head should be facing up during the rinsing process. After the rinsing is completed, it is best to wipe it with a clean dry cloth, or it can be filtered and disinfected in a home disinfection cabinet.

After washing the chopsticks, put them in the chopsticks cage with the small head facing up, and pay attention to the cleanness and ventilation of the chopsticks cage.

In addition, many households change chopsticks before they are used. Dong Jinshi suggested that chopsticks should be replaced every six months. Because in addition to metal and other chopsticks,

The chopsticks made of the material will basically form small grooves on the surface, which are easy to leave bacteria and cleaning agents, and should be replaced regularly.

■ Expert opinion

Chopsticks do not choose "naked chopsticks"

Many people like "original" when choosing goods, so when choosing chopsticks, they also tend to buy unpainted "naked chopsticks" in original colors. However, Dong Jinshi disagreed, saying that "naked chopsticks" may not be the safest.

According to Dong Jinshi, the "hygienic standard for reusable chopsticks" that was under active preparations has not been approved due to unclear regulatory authorities. Therefore, the non-disposable chopsticks currently used in households do not have national standards in terms of production, packaging, and transportation, and special care needs to be taken when purchasing.

Dong Jinshi said that from the comprehensive consideration of safety, economy, and hygiene, bamboo chopsticks are the best choice. Because bamboo chopsticks are made of natural materials, they are not easily deformed. And from the perspective of environmental protection, the growth cycle of bamboo is shorter than many trees and more environmentally friendly.

The same is bamboo chopsticks, different colors, how to choose? Dong Jinshi said that when choosing chopsticks, it is necessary to choose a natural color, so that harmful substances will not remain due to treatment processes such as dyeing, and once the painted paint or pigment is peeled off during use, it is not good for health.

But choosing natural colors does not mean choosing "naked chopsticks". Dong Jinshi said that if not coated with raw lacquer, chopsticks are easy to wear and crack, and food residues are easily left in the gaps and breed bacteria. Therefore, it is best to choose bamboo chopsticks coated with raw lacquer.

How to judge whether chopsticks are "naked chopsticks" or lacquered chopsticks when buying? Dong Jinshi said that lacquered chopsticks are waterproof and shiny, which can prevent dirt and dirt, while unpainted chopsticks do not have these characteristics.

Wooden chopsticks with similar colors to bamboo chopsticks are not as good as anti-corrosive and environmentally unfriendly, so Dong Jinshi does not recommend them. As for the silver or stainless steel chopsticks that many people prefer, although it is relatively easy to clean, it is easy to conduct heat and is heavy. In addition, there are imitation porcelain chopsticks in different colors and exquisite packaging on the market. Dong Jinshi emphasized that it is necessary to choose melamine materials. The QS mark on the packaging can identify authenticity.

By Best Chopsticks