Reports of the use of formaldehyde to preserve the freshness of cabbage intended for human consumption prompted an immediate response from authorities in China.
Officials in the northeastern province of Hebei confirmed that they had verified video footage showing people dipping cabbages into a solution before loading them onto trucks for transport.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Police impounded vehicles and handcuffed five people overnight
The footage was first made public last week by a blogger who focuses on environmental issues. The use of formaldehyde—a colorless chemical known to cause cancer—to preserve the freshness of food is strictly prohibited in China.
China is the world’s largest producer of cabbage, with most of its production exported to neighboring Asian countries.
According to state media, the police have initiated legal proceedings against those involved.
Nationwide Inspections
Authorities are now taking immediate action to prevent panic and restore confidence by conducting surprise inspections at markets across the country.
Chinese state media report that investigators will also determine the extent of this practice and take measures to identify the affected vegetables.
In a statement issued on Saturday (August 22), local authorities in Kangbao County emphasized: “Any illegal practices or practices that do not comply with regulations that are discovered will be dealt with strictly and in accordance with the law to ensure the safety of the vegetable supply chain.”
The central market in Beijing, one of the capital’s main sources of fresh agricultural products, issued a statement saying it had investigated the origin of its vegetables, adding that none of the affected vegetables had entered its market.
SEE ALSO: New Zealand: Bill to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
The incident has attracted significant attention in the Chinese media.
An opinion piece in the *People’s Daily* states: “The wholesalers focused exclusively on their immediate financial interests, completely disregarding the lives and health of consumers. They crossed a legal ‘red line’ and violated moral boundaries.”
China produces well over 30 million metric tons of cabbage annually, a quantity that accounts for nearly half of global annual production. Vietnam, South Korea, and Russia are among the most important export destinations for this vegetable.
Exposure to relatively high levels of formaldehyde in certain workplaces has been linked to certain forms of cancer in humans; however, the effects of exposure to small amounts are less clear, according to the American Cancer Society.
Source: CNN Greece
