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Starbucks News: You think you're eating Starbucks, but you're chewing on the heel of your shoe.

Published: 2026-04-05 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/04/05, This is what you think you're eating, but this is what you're eating? Azodicarbonamide, an industrial foam blowing agent used in rubber soles or artificial leather, Starbucks last night admitted to using the additive in pastries sold in China, but said it complied with Chinese regulations. WHO reports that this additive has caused asthma hazards, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and other places have been banned! Is it China?

You think you're eating this ↓.

Actually, is that what you ate? ↓.

Starbucks admitted last night that azoformamide, an industrial foam blowing agent used as rubber soles or artificial leather, was used in pastries sold in China, but said it complied with Chinese regulations. Who reports that this additive can cause asthma hazards, which has been banned in the UK, the European Union, Australia and other places.

Is it because the Chinese stomach is stronger?

What is azoformamide?

Azo formamide, also known as azo formamide, referred to as foaming agent ADC, yellow powder, is a kind of foaming agent commonly used in industry.

Why add it to food?

It tastes better.

It can be used in yoga mat, rubber sole and so on to increase the elasticity of the product.

More flexible

It can also be used in the food industry to increase the strength and flexibility of the dough.

Better looking

And its bleaching effect can also make the bread look better.

What are the rules in China?

According to the Chinese Standard for the use of Food Additives GB2760-2011, azoformamide is a legal food additive and can be used as a flour treatment agent in wheat flour, with the maximum dosage of 0.045g/kg. According to NetEase Finance and Economics, the use of azoformamide in North America is legal, and the US Food and Drug Administration believes that when it is used as a flour bleach, the dose below 0.0045% is safe.

What is its impact?

But the chemical is accused of having an impact on the human body in three ways: destroying vitamins in flour, affecting calcium absorption and damaging vital organs of the body, leading to cancer. Therefore, the use of azoformamide in food has been banned in the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.

Who else besides Starbucks?

Us fast food giant Subway has admitted that it sells food in North America containing a chemical called Azodicarbonamide and has announced that it will stop using it, CNN reported. Besides Subway, most bread sold in McDonald's, Starbucks, Burger King and supermarkets contain the ingredient, CNN reported.

Sit on the sidelines: it is edible!

"it is common for food and industrial supplies to 'share' the same additive." According to Ruan Guangfeng, an expert at the China Food and Nutrition Information Exchange Center, the analogy between food and industrial additives is purely eye-catching. This is a consumer misunderstanding of additives, many of which are used in food and industry. The United States and China did not reject it, while the European Union rejected the additive, which in his view was not comparable.

As a matter of fact, Starbucks can be banned like Subway, but why has it not done so? In this regard, Zhu Danpeng believes that for some foreign fast food, are looking for alternatives to azoformamide, and this is also a step-by-step process.

Even if Starbucks still insists on using azoformamide, it does not violate the current Chinese standards. Ruan Guangfeng analysis believes that from the enterprise point of view, taking into account the cost, process conditions and other different choices. With regard to Starbucks' practice of azoformamide, Nguang Guangfeng believes that there is nothing wrong with it. "the state has stipulated the content of additive ingredients in food, indicating that this ingredient is harmless to the human body within a certain range, as long as manufacturers strictly follow the scope and dosage of use, there will be no problem."

Source: Jinri Toutiao

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