Seaweed safe for human consumption

CEBU, Philippines - The Seaweed Industry of the Philippines, Inc. disputed the claim of a medical scientist that carrageenan can cause cancer and unsafe for human consumption.

SIAP chairman Maximo Ricohermoso said the Philippines is a major producer of carrageenan in the world and because of the statement of Joan Tomacban, some 300,000 seaweed farmers in the country are now under threat of losing their livelihood.

“Carrageenan is safe for human consumption,” said SIAP president Andrew Wee in a press conference yesterday.

SIAP board secretary Marcial Solante said that they will challenge the “false claim” scientifically before the National Organic Standards Board-USA, where Tomacban filed a citizen petition to delist carrageenan as food additives.

Solante said that the Philippines is the second biggest seaweed producer in the world next to Malaysia and so many families, especially the poor are dependent on the industry.

“We will sue her definitely but only after we will be presenting these scientific evidences to dispute her claimed,” said Solante.

Currently, in the US, the integrity of carrageenan as a safe food stabilizer for use in organic food is being challenged.

Ricohermoso said that the carrageenan produced in the Philippines has undergone the required scientific researches and tests in order to qualify as GRAS or Generally Regarded as Safe for human consumption.

“We need concerted effort from all sectors to counteract this negative allegation and protect the livelihood source of our fisher folks and the Philippine seaweed industry,” said Ricohermoso.

People have been consuming carrageenan since the 14th century, Solante said.

Agham partylist Representative Angelo Palmones said that Tomacban’s information is a big threat to the seaweed industry.

“If we don’t act on it now, this will slow down productivity and cause economic difficulty, especially for seaweed farmers,” he added.

Bureau of Aquatic Resources 7 Regional Director Tiburcio Donaire said that the government is providing P265 million budget for the seaweed industry.

Central Visayas is the fourth largest seaweed producing region in the country.—  (FREEMAN)