Food Safety

Doubt of a new carcinogenesis promotion effect surfaces to Kao Econa (Enova) element

By JCPRESS

Last modified:

KaoEcona

National Research Institute suggested in animal study, Health Ministry starts a large-scale incremental test

National Research Institute fil the experimental result that "suggested that the diacylglycerol has the promotion effect of the squamous cell carcinoma" of principal ingredient "Diacylglycerol" of " Healthy Econa Cooking Oil" and "Econa Mayonnaise Type" that Kao (Tokyo Chuo-ku) sold in the whole country to Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that gave the license of the " Food for specified health uses" decided to start a large scale incremental test by the end of this year.

This ministry clarified that the rat that used it for the further experimental investigation had already been prepared.

The commissioner of council of this ministry was pointing out that there was a doubt for the diacylglycerol to have the cancer promotion action in 2003 when Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved "Econa Mayonnaise Type" as a Food for specified health uses.

At that time, council and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had decided the implementation of the carcinogenicity incremental test while permitting food including the diacylglycerol as a Food for specified health uses.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had explained two years ago, "The examination is executed to make sure. The examination is useful for the accumulation of data that proved the safety".

Kao also was describing, "The incremental test affirms further safety".

However, the experimental result clarified by this research was a content where the cancer promotion action was suggested again.

Consumer's anxiety neurosis has risen because a large amount of Econa related products that contain the diacylglycerol as a principal ingredient are sold.

It takes one year or more until the consequence of the further experimental investigation in the future turns out.

Some consumer groups describe, "The government should temporarily discontinue sales of Econa at once", and request correspondence from related administration.

Kao has evaded the accountability though data that shakes the safety of the most influential commodity is shown, and a new experiment is begun.

Kao only describes in the question on the Japan Consumer Press (JC-Press), "Our company wants will refrain from comment". Kao is selling Econa as Enova in the United States.

Japan Consumer Press Sep 1, 2005 No.716 , online published : Sep 12, 2005

More Latest News... | Link | About us | Contact us | Print Edition in Japanese

Copyright(C)2005 Japanese consumer newspaper Co., Ltd., Nippon Shouhisha Shinbun-Sha