Backgrounder: Toxic chemical DEHP

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, commonly abbreviated DEHP, is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(C8H17COO)2.

This colorless viscous liquid is soluble in oil, but not in water. It possesses good plasticizing properties. Being produced on a massive scale by many companies, it has acquired many names and acronyms, including BEHP and di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate.

In late May, Taiwan health officials confirmed DEHP had been found in an emulsifier that is commonly used in fruit jelly, yogurt mix powder, juices and other drinks.

Investigators traced the chemical to an emulsifier produced by Yu Sheng Chemical, an additive company in Taiwan.

It substituted palm oil with the plasticizer DEHP, which is known to cause cancer.

A cloudy agent is a legal food additive in fruit juice, jam and soft drinks, but some manufacturers used DEHP as raw materials in the production of cloudy agents to save costs.

The tolerable daily intake of DEHP as established by the European Union is 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day.

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