[Gettyimages Bank]
SEOUL -- South Korea's health regulatory agency eased tight regulations on the use of propionic acid, which is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid and has many important uses because of antibacterial properties. It will be recognized as natural when detected in small amounts.
Propionic acid is used as a preservative and flavoring agent in packaged foods because it has antibacterial properties and prevents the growth of various molds. In agriculture and livestock operations, propionic acid can be used to sanitize the surface of places. When not handled properly, however, propionic acid can be potentially dangerous.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revised strict regulations to make more extensive use of propionic acid. In principle, propionic acid detected in small amounts is recognized as natural, but animal materials that can produce propionic acid naturally in the process of decomposition are excluded.
If propionic acid is found to be less than 0.10 grams per kilogram, which cannot be preserved as a food additive, it shall be recognized as natural, the ministry said, adding the revision would ease the difficulties of producers to prove that propionic acid originated from food ingredients or manufacturing processes, and the cost burden of product disposal if not proven.
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They are designed for a lifespan of 40 years to store LNG in liquid form at minus 162 degrees for extended periods." The total storage capacity of the Gwangyang LNG terminal is 1.33 million cubic meters, the largest for a single private company in South Korea, enough to supply heating gas for the entire population for about 40 days. At the newly established unloading dock, long docking facilities and LNG transfer pipelines were visible. A site official noted that when LNG at minus 162 degrees flows through the pipes, surrounding moisture freezes, creating a winter-like scene even in summer. Passing by the pipes felt like stepping into winter. Just a short drive from the LNG terminal, several long tanks came into view. These are used by POSCO Air Solution to produce rare gases essential for the semiconductor and aerospace industries. 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