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Soy sauce has recently sparked public discussions about food safety and additives (添加剂). With various labels like “zero-additive,” “organic,” and “low-sodium” filling supermarket shelves, understanding ingredient lists becomes essential for informed choices.

What Is Zero-Additive Soy Sauce?

True zero-additive soy sauce contains only natural ingredients like soybeans, wheat, and salt, without artificial additives. To verify claims, check both the product name and ingredient list. For organic soy sauce, labels must specify “organic soybeans” or “organic wheat” as required by China’s strict certification standards.

Understanding Labels

While “children’s soy sauce” exists in markets, China has no official standards for such products. Though they meet general food safety rules, their benefits for children lack scientific proof. Experts advise parents to give priority to products with simpler ingredient lists.

Quality Indicators

According to China’s national standards (GB/T 18186-2000), soy sauce is graded into four levels (Premium, First, Second, Third) based on amino acid nitrogen (氨基酸态氮) content (≥0.80g/100ml, ≥0.70g/100ml, ≥0.55g/100ml, and ≥0.40g/100ml). Higher levels mean richer flavor without additives like MSG (谷氨酸钠). Shorter ingredient lists often signal better quality, as fewer additives are needed to achieve taste and color.

Safe Additives in China

China’s food safety regulations (GB 2760-2024) permit specific additives to enhance flavor or maintain freshness. Common ones include:

1) Permitted flavor enhancers: MSG, disodium 5’-ribonucleotides, disodium 5’-inosinate, disodium 5’-guanylate, L-alanine, glycine, disodium succinate.

2) Approved preservatives: benzoic acid, sorbic acid, propionic acid, nisin, parabens.

3) Allowed sweeteners: acesulfame-K, sucralose, aspartame-acesulfame salt, glycyrrhizinates.

Smart Shopping Tips

1) Prioritize amino acid nitrogen content on labels.

2) Avoid products containing banned ingredients like acid-hydrolyzed (酸水解的) vegetable protein.

3) Remember: Simple ingredient lists often mean higher quality.

By following these guidelines and trusting China’s rigorous food standards, consumers can confidently select safe, high-quality soy sauce.

1.1. What has led to public discussions about soy sauce recently?

A The different package designs.

B The popularity of organic soy sauce.

C The issues of food safety.

D The change of production process.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第一段的“Soy sauce has recently sparked public discussions about food safety and additives.”可知，酱油近期引发公众讨论是因为食品安全和添加剂问题。故选C。

2.2. What can be inferred about “children’s soy sauce” in China?

A It follows stricter safety standards than regular soy sauce.

B Parents should check its ingredient list carefully.

C Its benefits for children are scientifically proven.

D It contains no artificial additives.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第三段的“China has no official standards for such products”可知，中国对儿童酱油这类产品没有官方标准；根据“Though they meet general food safety rules”可知儿童酱油虽然符合一般的食品安全规定，但并不表明儿童酱油不含添加剂；根据“Experts advise parents to give priority to products with simpler ingredient lists.”可知，专家建议家长优先选择成分表简单的产品，即家长应仔细查看其配料表；根据“their benefits for children lack scientific proof”可知，儿童酱油对儿童的益处缺乏科学依据。故选B。

3.3. Which of the following might be the best soy sauce?

A One with a lower amino acid nitrogen level and many additives.

B Soy sauce with a high amino acid nitrogen level and some banned ingredients.

C The type with a low amino acid nitrogen level and a simple ingredient list.

D A kind with a high amino acid nitrogen content and few additives.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据第四段内容可知，在不使用谷氨酸钠等添加剂的情况下，氨基酸态氮含量越高，产品鲜味越浓郁。通常配料表越简短表明品质越好，因其无需过多添加剂即可达到风味要求。即氨基酸态氮含量越高且配料表越简短的酱油越好。故选D。

4.4. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A To teach consumers how to choose safe soy sauce.

B To discuss the development history of soy sauce.

C To introduce different brands of soy sauce.

D To show the importance of food safety regulations.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。文章开篇提到酱油的食品安全和添加剂引发公众讨论，接着介绍了零添加酱油的成分、各种标签的含义、酱油的质量指标、中国允许的安全添加剂，最后给出了明智购物的小贴士。可推知，文章的目的是教消费者如何选择安全且优质的酱油。故选A。