TWO local bird’s nest manufacturers from Malaysia have been ordered to cease operations for adding nitrates from artificial red colouring to produce “blood nest”, Chinese dailies reported.
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Sin Chew Daily quoted Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong as saying that their unethical practice was discovered after the ministry received complaints from China importers.
Chua said the “fake blood nest” can cause cancer and the ministry has started investigations.
He also told the daily in an interview that he had sent some of the “blood nest” in his home for testing.
He was shocked to receive a report saying that the “blood nest” given as a gift by his friends also contained nitrates.
Chua urged the public to be extra careful when purchasing “blood nest”.
How to test nitrate in bird nest
“Consumers must smell the bird’s nest when they purchase the product.
“If it has a urine smell and the colour of the birds’ nest is very even, there must be something wrong,” he added.