Chinese authorities have launched an investigation to verify reports of formaldehyde being used in the preservation of cabbage intended for human consumption, the BBC reports.
Officials in China’s northeastern province of Hebei have confirmed that they have verified the authenticity of a video showing cabbage being soaked in a liquid before being loaded onto trucks. The video was first posted by an environmental blogger. The use of formaldehyde – a colourless, carcinogenic chemical used to preserve biological samples – in food processing is strictly prohibited in China.
China is the world’s largest producer of cabbage, with most of it exported to neighbouring countries.
Police have launched an investigation, state media reported. Officials are also focusing on quelling panic and restoring confidence by carrying out checks at markets across the country. Investigators will also investigate the extent of the practice and take all necessary measures to find the vegetables treated with formaldehyde.
The local Kangbao district authorities said in a statement that any illegal or
non-compliant practices will be strictly punished in accordance with the law
to ensure that the vegetables are safe for consumption.
The Xinfadi market in Beijing, one of the capital’s main sources of fresh food, said it had checked the origin of the cabbages it sold and found that none had been treated with formaldehyde.
The incident has attracted widespread attention in Chinese media. An editorial in the People’s Daily said that wholesalers were focused only on making profits while completely ignoring consumer health. They have thus violated the red lines of the law and lost all morals.
China produces about 30 million tons of cabbage every year, almost half of the world’s total. The main export markets are Vietnam, South Korea and Russia.
Read also: Environmental expert: None of Estonia’s large wild animals are intent on attacking humans