GIT Warns Consumers: Avoid Food with Fake Gold Leaf - Health Risk

Matichon•General•14h ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Gem and Jewelry Institute warns consumers about the health risks associated with consuming food decorated with non-pure, potentially contaminated gold leaf.

•The Thai Gem and Jewelry Institute (GIT) has issued a warning to consumers about the potential dangers of food adorned with gold leaf.
•The institute highlights the risk of 'scientific gold leaf,' which is not pure gold and may contain harmful heavy metals.
•While pure gold (AU) is edible and passes through the body, synthetic versions can accumulate and cause heavy metal poisoning.
•GIT recommends avoiding food products containing any type of gold leaf and offers testing services for verification.

Overview

•The Thai Gem and Jewelry Institute (GIT) advises consumers to be cautious of food decorated with gold leaf due to potential health risks.
•GIT is not directly responsible for food safety, but issued the warning because gold leaf is a precious metal.
•'Scientific gold leaf' is a substitute for real gold, made with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, to reduce cost.
•Consuming 'scientific gold leaf' can lead to heavy metal accumulation and toxicity in the human body.
•GIT stated that it is impossible to know if gold leaf is pure and safe to eat without testing.
•GIT offers XRF and ICP-OES testing services to verify the composition of gold leaf, ensuring consumer and producer confidence.
•Consumers with doubts can consult GIT experts via the free CARAT Application or contact the Precious Metal Testing Laboratory.
•GIT explicitly recommends avoiding foods and desserts that are decorated with gold as a precautionary measure.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Sumeth Prasongpongchai

"We will never know if both are pure gold that can be eaten until they are certified."

เราจะไม่มีวันรู้เลยว่า ทั้ง 2 อย่างนั้นเป็นทองคำบริสุทธิ์สามารถรับประทานได้หรือไม่ จนกว่าจะได้รับการตรวจรับรอง

GIT

"To prevent danger, it is advised to avoid food and desserts decorated with gold."

เพื่อป้องกันอันตรายจึงขอแนะนำว่าควรหลีกเลี่ยง อาหาร ขนม ที่เอาทองมาปิด

Key Entities

Organization

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization)(สถาบันวิจัยและพัฒนาอัญมณีและเครื่องประดับแห่งชาติ (องค์การมหาชน))ℹ️

A Thai government research institute that issued a warning about the safety of gold leaf in food.

Person

Sumeth Prasongpongchai(นายสุเมธ ประสงค์พงษ์)

The Director of The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) who commented on the issue of gold leaf.