HK bird's nest all contains nitrites

Editor:AT0086.com | Resource:shanghaidaily.com

A cancer-inducing chemical compound, up to 31 times the allowable limit in meat, was found in all 47 samples of edible bird's nest sold in Hong Kong, but scientists said that long-time immersion in water and boiling it could remove most of the chemical, making the delicacy safe to eat.

After comparing 47 samples of edible bird's nest sold in Hong Kong and imported from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam with natural ones in Malaysia and Indonesia, equal amount of nitrite was detected, according to tests conducted by the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.

Besides ordinary white cubilose, the samples also contained red and yellow cubilose, considered rare varieties. They come from nests built on rock cliffs, with the mineral elements on the cliffs permeating the nests, coloring them red or yellow, the locally based Sing Tao Daily reported yesterday. 

Edible bird's nest, mostly made of secretion from the salivary glands of birds, is an expensive delicacy and has been used in Chinese cooking for hundreds of years.

The nitrite level varied from 5 milligrams to 6,400 milligrams per kilogram, according to Karl Tsim, a professor with the Division of Life Science of HKUST, who led the study. 

Although the region doesn't have a standard for nitrite levels in edible bird's nest, about 50 percent of the samples were discovered to exceed the limit set for meat products, with one containing 31 times the standard.

But Tsim pointed out that by submerging the bird's nest in water for three to 15 hours, rinsing repeatedly and boiling them for half an hour to 2 hours, over 97 percent of the chemical can be removed. 

Nitrite was found in local samples and natural ones, meaning the chemical was not added during production, Tsim told the newspaper. He said it may be birds' excrement contaminating the nests.

Michael Lam, a professor with City University of Hong Kong, said that although water could wash away the compound, long-term consumption could still compromise the function of red blood cells. If combined with acid, nitrite could even lead to cancer, the report said.

Shanghai officials are investigating the ingredient of the bird's nest soup made of red cubilose in local markets after tests in Zhejiang Province found it was not only counterfeit but contained nitrite.

Singapore Bird’s Nest company to be the first to proclaim ‘0’ppm of Nitrite content in their bird’s

Nov 03,2011 - Singapore, (3 November, 2011) – With the recent saga in China and Taiwan about Nitrite contaminated bird’s nest, bird’s nest consumers are on a red-alert on the test results produced by the different bird’s nest company to prove their products for safe consumption. Most of the bird’s nest imported to Singapore are mainly from Malaysia and Indonesia. This raises awareness and concern for the consumers especially the pregnant mothers who eats them regularly during their pregnancy stage. Are the imported bird’s nest nitrite level safe for consumption?

The standard level of Nitrite allowed in food by the World Health Organisation is 34ppm. Ideal would be 0ppm of nitrite found in the bird’s nest, which is achievable with proper and thorough cleaning during the processing stage of the bird’s nest.

Local Bird’s nest company, Pureness Bird’s Nest has step forward to be the first Bird’s Nest company in Singapore to assure local consumers that their bird’s nest is free from Nitrite compound! As a leading bird’s nest researcher and bird’s nest education company based in Singapore, it seeks to educate consumers on the importance of getting the trusted products from a proven source and not just known brands.

In line with their commitment of assurance to their consumers, Pureness Bird’s nest had successfully collaborated with the world’s renowned bird’s nest research and consultant in Malaysia, Dr Tan Boon Siong to successfully produced nitrite free bird’s nest!

“I am really glad to have collaborated with Pureness Bird’s nest for the research and the process to produce the best for people, especially in this new generation where people are more aware on what they are putting in their bodies”.

About

Pureness Bird’s Nest was founded on 2009, when it first started to share with people about the hard truths about bird’s nest. Their expert bird’s nest researchers constantly provide the latest updates on bird nest information so as to keep their customers abreast on the bird nest market. Ensuring that their customers get the genuine bird’s nest is the top priority on their customer satisfaction list.

There are several reasons Why People Rush To Buy Pureness Bird's Nest

The fact is almost all bird's nest in the market can't reach the state, where Pureness Bird's Nest can provide to the general public.