Authorities in China’s north-eastern Hebei province have opened an investigation after footage emerged showing cabbages allegedly being treated with formaldehyde before being transported for sale.
The investigation began after an environmental blogger published a video showing individuals dipping cabbages into a liquid solution before loading the vegetables onto trucks. Officials in Kangbao county said they had verified the footage and taken action against those allegedly involved.
The substance at the centre of the investigation is formaldehyde, a colourless chemical commonly used for preserving biological specimens. Its use to extend the freshness of food is prohibited in China, amid concerns over potential health risks.
Chinese state media reported that police had taken legal action in connection with the suspected practice.
Authorities Launch Nationwide Checks
Officials are now carrying out spot inspections at markets in an effort to determine how widespread the practice may be and identify any vegetables that could have been affected. Authorities also want to trace the distribution of the cabbages and prevent contaminated produce from reaching consumers.
“Any illegal or non-compliant practices discovered will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law to ensure the safety of the vegetable supply,” Kangbao county authorities said in a statement.
One of Beijing’s major fresh-produce markets, Xinfadi, said it had investigated the source of its cabbages and found no evidence that the affected vegetables had entered the market. The incident has nevertheless attracted significant attention across China, with concerns over food safety and the conduct of wholesalers dominating public discussion.
An editorial published by the People’s Daily accused those allegedly involved of putting financial interests ahead of consumers’ health and crossing both legal and ethical boundaries.
China is The World’s Biggest Cabbage Producer
The investigation comes in a country that produces more cabbages than anywhere else in the world. China produces more than 30 million tonnes annually, accounting for almost half of global cabbage production. Much of the country’s output is consumed domestically, while significant quantities are exported to Asian markets.
Vietnam, South Korea and Russia are among the major destinations for Chinese cabbage exports. The discovery could therefore have implications beyond the affected area if investigators find evidence that treated vegetables entered wider distribution networks.
Health Concerns Over Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is known to pose health risks at sufficiently high levels of exposure. The American Cancer Society says exposure to relatively high concentrations in certain occupational settings has been associated with some cancers in humans, although the health effects of exposure to much smaller quantities are less certain.
Chinese authorities have not indicated how much formaldehyde was allegedly used on the cabbages involved or whether consumers were exposed to dangerous concentrations.
Investigators are expected to establish the scale of the practice, identify those responsible and determine whether any affected vegetables reached markets or consumers.
