别被玫瑰盐迷花眼

Core Viewpoint - The rise of rose salt as a trendy seasoning has been driven by marketing strategies that exploit consumer psychology, but recent findings of heavy metal contamination have raised significant health concerns and highlighted vulnerabilities in the food safety regulatory framework [2][3][4]. Group 1: Marketing and Consumer Perception - Rose salt has gained popularity due to its appealing pink color and the perception of being a "natural" product, which aligns with current consumer trends favoring aesthetics and health consciousness [3]. - The marketing narrative surrounding Himalayan salt effectively targets consumer anxieties about industrial food, leveraging geographical storytelling to justify premium pricing [3]. - Misleading claims about the health benefits of rose salt, such as being "rich in minerals," have contributed to consumer misconceptions that higher prices equate to better nutrition [3]. Group 2: Health Risks - Rose salt does not meet national standards for edible salt, particularly in terms of color and purity, and contains higher levels of harmful heavy metals like lead and arsenic compared to refined salt [4]. - Long-term consumption of rose salt poses serious health risks, including potential damage to the nervous system and kidneys, as well as an increased risk of cancer [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Issues - The recent food safety incident has exposed regulatory gaps, particularly in the cross-border e-commerce sector, where differences in food standards are exploited by sellers [5]. - Some vendors import rose salt under the guise of "industrial salt" to bypass food safety regulations, leading to its unauthorized sale as a food product [5]. - E-commerce platforms have failed to enforce adequate product verification, allowing rose salt to be marketed without necessary safety certifications [5]. Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Regulatory bodies need to enhance food safety regulations for cross-border e-commerce, clarifying the distinction between industrial and edible salt [6]. - E-commerce platforms should take responsibility by mandating clear labeling of products as "non-edible salt" and eliminating misleading marketing claims [6]. - Consumer education is crucial, emphasizing that standard, affordable salt meets dietary needs without the risks associated with trendy products like rose salt [6].