After the implementation of the new version of the "Standards for the Use of Food Additives", the shelf life of mooncakes is set at no more than 60 days, and the "lifespan" of mooncakes is one month shorter than before; 27 kinds of food additives are "banned", and only more than ten kinds of additives (restricted) can be used. The Guangzhou Consumer Council reminds neighbors that they must "check three times" and "be vigilant six times" when buying mooncakes to ensure that they buy safe food.

Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. This year, reporters visited some shopping malls and supermarkets and found that most mooncake packaging indicated a shelf life of "no more than 60 days". The shelf life of some mooncake varieties such as fruit fillings and bean paste fillings is often shorter, ranging from 45 days to 30 days.

It turns out that due to the implementation of the new standards for food additives, the additives in mooncakes this year have been greatly reduced, and the shelf life has been shortened accordingly. If consumers still find "long-lived" mooncakes with a shelf life of more than 60 days in shopping malls and supermarkets, be careful!

This year, there are fewer fruit-flavored mooncakes on the shelves. According to some mooncake shopping guides, because many fruit-flavored mooncakes need to use sweeteners and chemical synthetic pigments, the new standard prohibits such additives, making the fruit-flavored mooncakes that were popular in previous years become "non-mainstream".

This year's mooncake color may be darker. Because "whitening agents" are no longer added to mooncakes, the color of some mooncakes may not be as white as before. In previous years, the lotus-filled mooncakes that were popular among Guangzhou residents were white in color, but this year's mooncake color may be a little darker.

The Guangzhou Consumer Council reminds consumers that benzoic acid preservatives, which are usually used to extend the shelf life of mooncakes, have been replaced by sorbic acid and dehydroacetic acid preservatives, and the new national standard also strictly controls the use of the latter.

In addition to not buying "longevity" mooncakes, Dong Jinshi, secretary general of the International Food Packaging Association, also advises consumers to beware of "mooncake trays" containing plasticizers.

Currently, in addition to iron boxes and paper boxes for mooncake packaging, the most popular mooncake packaging is plastic packaging. Dong Jinshi introduced that plastic packaging can be divided into different types such as PP, PS, and PVC plastics. Generally speaking, qualified PP and PS plastic packaging can be used for mooncake packaging, but using PVC plastic as a "mooncake tray" to package mooncakes may be harmful to consumers.

Three checks and six vigilances when buying mooncakes

Check whether the product packaging information is complete. Including net content, implementation standards, ingredient list and QS mark, etc.; check whether the inner packaging is intact. If the inner packaging also indicates information such as the production date, it is recommended that consumers check whether it is consistent with the information marked on the outer packaging.

Check the production date and shelf life. Since the shelf life of mooncakes is relatively short, they should be eaten as soon as possible before expiration. In addition, mooncakes are afraid of high temperature and moisture, and should be carefully stored after opening to avoid losing their flavor characteristics or the fillings deteriorating.

Check the factory name and address. Some hotels and restaurants sell mooncakes with the hotel or restaurant's store name or trademark printed on the packaging box, but the manufacturer marked has another address. This type of mooncake is not a homemade food of the hotel or restaurant, but is commissioned by other companies for processing. Therefore, it is recommended that consumers pay more attention to the factory name and address marked on the product when purchasing, so as to have a more comprehensive grasp of the product information.

Beware of inferior mooncakes. There are three main aspects to identify when buying mooncakes: shape, color and taste. High-quality mooncakes are round and round, evenly thick and thin, with clear patterns, no cracks on the surface, and no exposed fillings; inferior mooncakes are uneven in size, and the sugar leaks out seriously. High-quality mooncakes have a golden surface, a reddish-brown bottom, a uniform fire color, no green skin grooves, and egg liquid and oily luster on the skin; inferior mooncakes not only do not have the above characteristics, but also have a collapse phenomenon. High-quality mooncakes have appropriate sweetness, oily and delicate fillings, not sticky, and a fresh and fragrant smell without odor; inferior mooncakes are the opposite.

Beware of merchants' hype. Some businesses promote their products as "health mooncakes" and "slimming mooncakes", and even have the effects of "expelling intestinal toxins, treating constipation, and enhancing immunity"; some businesses advertise "sugar-free" mooncakes to attract diabetic patients to buy, but in fact they only replace sucrose with maltose, and some businesses even add a large amount of unqualified sweeteners to the mooncakes.

Beware of the "gorgeous transformation" of mooncakes. At present, there are many kinds of mooncakes sold on the market. However, consumers should note that such mooncakes are often sold at high prices in disguise by using new processes and new flavors. At the same time, consumers should also pay attention to whether their quality and hygiene are up to standard.

Beware of the "dual appearance" of mooncakes. Some companies plagiarize and imitate the packaging, style, advertising, and even registered trademarks of famous mooncake brands in packaging design because their products are not easy to sell; or the appearance design and packaging are exquisite, gorgeous, and high-end, but the quality of mooncake products is worrying.

Beware of inflated prices and large discounts. Some companies set inflated prices and then use discounts to make large profits, making consumers think they have bought cheap goods but end up being cheated.

Beware of online shopping traps. When consumers buy mooncakes online, they should choose regular network operators and reliable brands. When receiving the goods, they must inspect the goods in person and refuse to accept them immediately if they find any problems. Consumers are advised to choose some large-scale and reputable manufacturers and regular, large supermarkets, shopping malls, and hotels to buy them. They should be careful when choosing bulk mooncakes, and try not to go to wholesale markets or small shops to buy bulk mooncakes, especially not to buy bulk mooncakes at roadside stalls.

Six categories of people should not eat mooncakes

The elderly and weak are not suitable for eating mooncakes. The elderly and weak have poor digestion and absorption ability. Eating too many mooncakes may increase the gastrointestinal burden and cause indigestion or diarrhea.

Infants and young children are not suitable for eating mooncakes. The digestive system of infants and young children is not fully developed, and their digestive organs are very delicate and fragile, making it difficult for them to withstand large amounts of high-sugar and high-fat foods.

Moon cakes are not suitable for patients with stomach problems. Moon cakes are high-sugar foods. Eating them can cause a large amount of gastric acid secretion, which can cause stomach discomfort. Therefore, patients with gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers should not eat moon cakes.

Moon cakes are not suitable for patients with diabetes. Because moon cakes contain a lot of sugar, eating them will cause blood sugar to rise in patients with diabetes, aggravating their condition. Some patients with diabetes may even develop diabetic coma after eating moon cakes, which may be life-threatening.

Moon cakes are not suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Moon cakes contain sugar and a lot of fat. If you eat too much, it can increase blood viscosity, aggravate myocardial ischemia, and even induce myocardial infarction.

Moon cakes are not suitable for patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. The large amount of sugar in moon cakes will stimulate the pancreatic islet & beta cells to secrete insulin, increase cholesterol, cause the cholesterol in the bile to be in an oversaturated state, and promote the formation of gallstones. Patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis may develop acute pancreatitis and other dangerous conditions if they eat too many mooncakes.

Good Matching

When eating mooncakes, pay attention to "hot but not cold". Mooncakes are rich in fat and should not be eaten with cold drinks, otherwise it may cause diarrhea. It is best to make a cup of hot tea or prepare a cup of boiling water and drink it while eating. First, it can quench thirst, and second, it can remove bad breath and make the mooncakes more refreshing. Mooncakes should be eaten in moderation. Mooncakes contain more oil and sucrose. Excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The elderly, children, and those with weak gastrointestinal function should pay special attention to avoid replacing meals with mooncakes. Reporter Liu Ranran Correspondent Chen Xiaoying

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