Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate was found to contain excessive mineral oil components. (File photo)
(ECNS) -- Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate was found to contain excessive mineral oil components that could cause liver, spleen and lymph gland damage, china.com.cn reported.
Third-party testing organization okoer.com said a laboratory in Germany found excessive mineral oil in samples of Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate. The components, called MOSH or POSH, were above the standard level of 4 mg per kilogram, the examination report said.
Okoer.com, launched by former journalist Luo Changping, said the samples were purchased through formal sales channels.
The mineral oil may come from lubrication used in machineries during the production or packaging process, or from printing ink, the report said.
The European Food Safety Authority said in a 2013 report that MOSH can accumulate inside the human body and hurt organs such as the liver, spleen and lymph glands.
Wang Xuede, a professor at Henan University of Technology who studies grain and oils, said mineral oil might not be digested by the human body, but excessive harmful components could get into the hematologic system and cause cell mutation. Consumers, especially children, should keep away from food containing mineral oil, Wang said.
A paper published by the Chinese magazine China Oils and Fats also argued that mineral oil can damage the digestive system and even cause food poisoning or a coma.
Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate is one of the flagship products of Dove, a brand owned by Mars that has become one of the most popular in China after operating in the county for more than 20 years.
