Beijing: Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into reports that formaldehyde was used to keep cabbages fresh, raising fresh food safety concerns in the country.
Officials in northeastern Hebei province said they had verified footage showing individuals dipping cabbages into a solution before loading the vegetables onto trucks for transportation. The footage was first published last week by an environmental blogger and quickly attracted widespread attention across China.
The use of formaldehyde to preserve food is strictly prohibited in China. Formaldehyde is a colourless chemical commonly used for preserving biological specimens and has been linked to cancer risks at relatively high levels of exposure.
Police have taken legal action against individuals allegedly involved in the practice, according to Chinese state media. Authorities are also carrying out spot checks at markets across the country to determine whether other vegetables may have been affected.
Investigators are expected to examine how widespread the practice is and trace any potentially affected cabbages through the supply chain. Local authorities in Kangbao county said illegal or non-compliant practices would be dealt with strictly under Chinese law to protect the safety of the vegetable supply.
The incident has generated significant public and media attention in China, with state media strongly criticising the alleged practice. An editorial in the People’s Daily accused wholesalers of prioritising short-term economic interests over consumer health and safety.
China is the world’s largest cabbage producer, producing more than 30 million tonnes each year, accounting for nearly half of global production. Large quantities are also exported to countries including Vietnam, South Korea and Russia.
The investigation comes as authorities seek to prevent public concern from spreading and reassure consumers about the safety of the country’s vegetable supply. The findings could determine whether the reported use of formaldehyde was an isolated incident or part of a wider food safety problem.
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