A potentially harmful bleaching agent and disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide, has reportedly been found in calcium tablets produced by Beijing-based Juneng New Technology Co.

The manufacturer claimed on Thursday that it may be a plot to taint the company's reputation.

Henan Commercial News reports that the tablets contain a large amount of hydrogen peroxide remnant that could cause cancer if ingested in sufficient quantities.

The newspaper said they had received tip-offs from readers in mid October and bought seven bottles of different calcium products sold by the company to undergo testing at the Agricultural Products Quality Supervision Center under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Reports showed that four of the products contained hydrogen peroxide remnant.

Juneng Co. announced on Thursday that the production and sale of their calcium products have been approved by state health authorities and that they have all passed safety tests.

The announcement said reports by Henan Commercial News were misleading and that the company will defend its reputation through legal means.

State Drug and Food Administration officials said they are preparing to investigate the case, the Beijing Times reports.

On Wednesday, the newspaper quoted Zhang Xingyuan, the general manager of Tianjin Juneng Chemistry, a subsidiary of Juneng Co., saying their calcium products did indeed use hydrogen peroxide as a raw material but that they underwent toxin checks conducted by state health authorities.

Zhang said a major ingredient was L-threonate, a chemical agent made from raw materials including hydrogen peroxide.

"Ingestion of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide will not damage human health," Zhang told the Beijing Times.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful oxidizers commonly used for the treatment of water and hazardous waste.

Longtime exposure can cause ulcers, vomiting and may even lead to types of cancer, medical experts said.

Food additive standards strictly regulate the application of hydrogen peroxide to food and prohibit any remnant in food products.

Calcium tablets are a popular gift in China.

(China Daily November 19, 2004)