News of food adulteration with dangerous chemicals is common. The latest case of food adulteration has come to light from Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district. Here, officials of the district food safety department raided an outlet of the world famous American restaurant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). It is alleged that KFC was using magnesium silicate-synthetic in its chicken. The restaurant’s license has been temporarily cancelled.

Magnesium silicate-synthetic is a dangerous chemical, the use of which has been banned by the country’s largest food monitoring organization FSSAI. However, KFC has claimed that all the things made here are completely safe to eat as per the guidelines of FSSAI.

TOI report (ReferenceAccording to the report, the team of officials found that KFC was using magnesium silicate-synthetic to purify cooking oil. About 18 kg of magnesium silicate-synthetic and 45 liters of old cooking oil purified using it were seized from the outlet. Apart from this, 56 kg of pre-cooked chicken, which had not been used for more than 12 hours, was also seized and destroyed.

What is magnesium silicate synthetic?

Magnesium silicate is a synthetic mineral that is made in the lab. It is a white, odorless, fine powder that can easily dissolve in water. It is used to make many medicines, beauty products and to keep food items safe for a long time. The specialty of this chemical is that it absorbs water and has antacid properties.

Why is magnesium silicate synthetic used in food?

Magnesium silicate, especially its synthetic form, is used in many foods as an anti-caking agent (meaning to keep foods dry and crunchy). This compound is often included in dry powdered foods, salts and other products to prevent them from forming lumps and sticking to each other and maintain their texture.

Magnesium silicate synthetic is banned in India

Magnesium silicate synthetic has been tested by many agencies around the world and they believe that its use in very small quantities in food is safe but excessive use can cause many serious health problems. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned magnesium silicate synthetic in India.

Side Effects of Magnesium Silicate Synthetic

Magnesium silicate synthetic can be harmful if used in excessive amounts or incorrectly. Inhaling it can irritate the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing.

There may be a problem in the intestines

Magnesium silicate can cause stomach and intestinal problems if taken in large amounts, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, hypermagnesemia (increased magnesium levels in the blood), and diarrhea. Using it too much in acidity medications can cause even more serious symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea.

May cause skin irritation

Direct contact with magnesium silicate can cause skin irritation, causing redness, itching or dermatitis (skin disease). Accidental contact with the eyes can cause irritation, redness and tears.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always contact your doctor for more information.

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Toxic chemical found in chicken of world famous restaurant, it does not take long to rot intestines, FSSAI has banned it