Pulverized Lime Found as Bleaching Agent in China

Investigations in China have revealed pulverized lime being used as a bleaching agent in the production of flour.

Yuzhong Food Additive Company in Rugao, Jiangsu Province, added 500g of pulverized lime to every 2kg of bleaching agent, Legal Weekend, a publication run by the official Legal Daily, reported.

The company sold bleaching agents to flour mills in Jiangsu and neighbouring Shandong and Anhui provinces, the report said.

The owner of the company said the bleaching agent was sold at CNY9,000 ($1,319) a ton versus the market price of CNY11,000.

Consumption of the lime can damage the lungs and the entire respiratory system.

Bleaching agents, usually made from cornstarch, are added to flour to shorten the time needed for whitening.