Vegetable straws - a new value for Vietnamese agricultural products.

In an effort to reduce plastic waste, many European countries have switched to using paper straws instead of single-use plastics. However, recent studies have shown that many types of paper straws may contain PFAS, a group of chemicals that are difficult to decompose and pose potential health risks. In this context, products made from Vietnamese vegetables are being introduced as a new alternative in the German market.

At a Vietnamese restaurant in Germany, lunch was like any other day. But in each drink today, there was a detail that piqued the curiosity of many diners: a colorful straw, not made of plastic or paper, but from various Vietnamese vegetables.

Mr. Truong Thien Quoc Hung - Manager of N14 Asian Restaurant, Stuttgart, Germany, said: "Previously, we used paper straws. And before that, of course, plastic straws. But now we have decided to switch to these new straws made from vegetables."

Once considered a symbol of green living, paper straws have replaced plastic ones across Europe. But after just a few minutes in a glass of cold water or hot coffee, they begin to soften and disintegrate. A 2023 study in Belgium revealed that many types of straws made from paper and bamboo contain PFAS, a type of persistent chemical used for waterproofing but harmful to health.

Matthaus Wachter, an Austrian resident, shared: "I saw information in the newspaper about paper and bamboo straws being contaminated with PFAS, and since then I haven't used those types of straws."

Responding to consumer demand, European businesses have also developed straws made from wheat flour or grains. However, these products easily soften or break in hot drinks. At a leading food and hospitality trade fair in southern Germany, straws made from Vietnamese vegetables are attracting interest from many partners.

Kai Bierich, a resident of Stuttgart, Germany, commented: "Straws made from vegetables are very neutral, giving a better feeling in the mouth. They don't dissolve. It takes about three hours before you notice the difference."

Vietnamese vegetables are available year-round, affordable, and have a stable supply. Straws made from vegetables retain their natural color, are chemical-free, and completely biodegradable. For Vietnamese businesses, this is not only an environmentally friendly product but also a way to further process agricultural produce. Spoons and forks are a thing of the future, but from these straws today, a green path has opened up.

Source: https://vtv.vn/ong-hut-rau-cu-gia-tri-moi-cho-nong-san-viet-100260211210147415.htm