Chemical used in floor wax found in bagoong samples from Cebu

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found a toxic coloring chemical used in floor wax in some samples of bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) from the province of Cebu.

FDA's laboratory analysis showed that a sample of bagoong alamang from Cebu contains Rhodamine B, a non-permissible colorant (NPC) that has harmful effects on human health, according to a report on "24 Oras."



Even if the bagoong is cooked, the coloring chemical may still affect the liver, kidney, and red the blood cells, the report added.

The FDA advised consumers to purchase food products only from legitimate food establishment, it said.

Earlier, the FDA warned against the use of Rhodamine B, a fluorescent dye (red to violet powder) after it was found in some products, including pink icing candy and red gulaman, also in Cebu markets. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News