Does Draught Beer Contain Formaldehyde?
Much of this urban myth can be attributed to breweries in China, Korea etc where higher levels of formaldehyde were detected. This was accepted as truth by pretty much everyone here in Korea back in the mid- to late-90’s, and the dire chemical foulness of the draft beer at the time seemed to confirm it. Although the beer is better than it was (but is still no great shakes), many foreigners still take it as gospel. I don’t know how urban-mythy it is, or was, here in Korea though. It is true still that most Korean drinking establishments that serve draft have no idea that they should keep their lines clean, or how to do it.
This is coming from the dark recesses of my memory, so it will be a bit vague, and a bit related to this question. About six years I had a flatmate who was the chief chemist for an upmarket “organic” cosmetic company. He was involved in formulating their products. He told me that one of their ingredients, which was not listed on the label (and did not have to be), broke down over time to form formaldehyde, which then preserved the product. He also may have said that this was a common practice, and he thought that the main benefits from moisturisers was the formaldehyde acting to “preserve” the skin. Unfortunately I cannot remember what the chemical was, but perhaps it is possible that this technique is used for other products. If the levels are low enough for it to be safe to rub into your face, perhaps they are also safe enough to drink.
Much of this urban myth can be attributed to breweries in China, Korea etc where higher levels of formaldehyde were detected. Read more here.