Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Family of Four Dies After Using Wooden Chopsticks: Is Your Kitchenware Safe?

Daniel Kim Views  

A recent case has resurfaced involving an entire family that died from liver cancer after using the same wooden chopsticks for an extended period without replacing them.

According to Taiwan’s CTi News, the head nurse in the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital recently discussed the importance of regularly cleaning and replacing wooden chopsticks in a medical program.

The nurse cited a 2013 case in China where a family of four developed cancer and later died, stating, “This is not an exaggeration. The reason this family developed liver cancer was their continued use of moldy chopsticks.”

Using moldy kitchen utensils over time can lead to the accumulation of aflatoxins, which are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. These carcinogens build up with continued use and can ultimately result in liver cancer.

Wooden utensils, dishes, and cooking tools can crack with extended use, creating gaps where dust and mold can easily collect. Tan advised that the items should be discarded and replaced immediately if mold or other visible contaminants are spotted.

The nurse also offered tips on properly cleaning wooden chopsticks. For bamboo chopsticks, it is essential to scrub along the grain, both vertically and horizontally, to ensure thorough cleaning.

Even with thorough cleaning, complete safety is not guaranteed. In an interview with Health 2.0, nutritionist Xuhui Huang from Wu Che Hospital noted, “Aflatoxins are produced by mold and cannot be removed by washing or boiling. These toxins are extremely potent, with toxicity 68 times greater than arsenic and 100 times greater than cyanide. Consuming a large amount at once can lead to acute liver and kidney failure, which can be fatal.”

Choosing the right materials for chopsticks is also crucial. Stainless steel chopsticks, particularly those made from 304 stainless steel, are highly recommended. Unlike melamine or plastic chopsticks, which can warp under heat and are not suitable for immersion in boiling water or pots, stainless steel maintains its shape and durability even at high temperatures.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LIFESTYLE] Latest Stories

  • Why Your Eyelid Keeps Twitching—and When to Worry
  • Silent Spreaders: How Measles Can Infect Before Symptoms Appear
  • Eat More Eggplant—It’s Good for Your Blood and Your Heart
  • Want to Burn More Fat? Try a 30-Second Cold Shower, Experts Say
  • Bats, Fruit, and a Deadly Virus—Why Korea’s Health Officials Are on High Alert
  • Why You Crave Junk Food When You’re Sad—And What to Eat Instead

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Sizzling Summer: Southeast US Breaks Heat Records as Temperatures Soar

    LATEST 

  • 2
    GSK Korea’s New Boss: What Gunnar Riediger Brings to the Table!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Is Tesla Behind LG Energy's Massive Battery Supply Contract?

    LATEST 

  • 4
    New Task Force Takes Aim at Stock Manipulators: A Game Changer for Investors!

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Korean President Aims to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business with New Task Force

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Beat the Heat: Agoda's Top 5 Cool-Cation Spots for Summer Travelers!

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Brace Yourself: Prices on Everyday Goods Set to Rise as Tariffs Take Their Toll

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Former Intel Chief Drops Bombshell: Yoon's Fury Over Marine's Death Revealed!

    LATEST 

  • 4
    Taiwan's President Delays Trip to the Americas Amid Typhoon Chaos

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Buddhist Monk’s Prediction Comes True: Annuity Lottery Winner Shares His Story!

    LATEST 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Sizzling Summer: Southeast US Breaks Heat Records as Temperatures Soar

    LATEST 

  • 2
    GSK Korea’s New Boss: What Gunnar Riediger Brings to the Table!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Is Tesla Behind LG Energy's Massive Battery Supply Contract?

    LATEST 

  • 4
    New Task Force Takes Aim at Stock Manipulators: A Game Changer for Investors!

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Korean President Aims to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business with New Task Force

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Beat the Heat: Agoda's Top 5 Cool-Cation Spots for Summer Travelers!

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Brace Yourself: Prices on Everyday Goods Set to Rise as Tariffs Take Their Toll

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Former Intel Chief Drops Bombshell: Yoon's Fury Over Marine's Death Revealed!

    LATEST 

  • 4
    Taiwan's President Delays Trip to the Americas Amid Typhoon Chaos

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Buddhist Monk’s Prediction Comes True: Annuity Lottery Winner Shares His Story!

    LATEST 

Share it on...