Chinese authorities have ordered an investigation into wholesalers in Hebei Province who soaked white cabbage in a formaldehyde solution, or "formalin," before transporting it for sale. This followed the release of a video online, with local officials confirming the practice occurred. Authorities have ordered inspections of perishable fresh vegetables nationwide and are rushing to track down the affected cabbage to prevent it from entering the market.
Chinese authorities have instructed local agencies across the country to inspect and randomly sample perishable fresh vegetables after reports emerged that wholesalers in Hebei Province used formaldehyde solution, or "formalin," on white cabbage to preserve freshness during transport.
The Food Safety Commission of the State Council, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation have ordered local authorities to urgently investigate the incident, strictly enforce legal action, and track the distribution channels involved to prevent potentially contaminated white cabbage from entering the market.
The incident occurred in Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, northern China, after a blogger released a video on 22 August claiming that multiple batches of white cabbage tested were dipped in formaldehyde solution before loading onto trucks to extend freshness and reduce damage during transportation.
Kangbao County authorities announced on Saturday that officials from agricultural and rural affairs, market regulation, and police departments were dispatched immediately. Their preliminary investigation confirmed the video’s depiction was accurate, with wholesalers illegally using formaldehyde during the loading and transport of vegetables.
Police have taken legal measures against those involved and seized transportation vehicles. Investigations continue as officials rush to identify destinations of the white cabbage, with reports indicating some shipments headed to Suqian City in Jiangsu Province and others sent to markets in Hefei City, Anhui Province.
Kangbao County authorities have also ordered inspections throughout the production, procurement, transportation, and sales processes to detect similar violations and have pledged decisive action against the use of banned substances to guarantee agricultural product safety.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s Fengtai District stated that as of Saturday evening, no white cabbage related to the incident had entered the Xinfadi Market, one of Beijing’s largest fresh vegetable wholesale hubs. The market enforces strict requirements on agricultural products regarding origin verification and random sample testing.
Xinfadi Market has increased the frequency of residue testing for pesticides and illegal additives in vegetables. It confirmed that white cabbage supplies remain sufficient and prices stable, unaffected by the incident as of Sunday, 23 August.
The Chinese government-run People's Daily editorial stated that using formaldehyde to improve the appearance of white cabbage and reduce damage during transportation is a serious and irrational act. It criticized wholesalers for prioritizing short-term economic gains while neglecting consumer safety and health.
Under China’s food safety law and agricultural product quality and safety law, the use of freshness preservatives, preservatives, or other substances in packaging, storage, or transportation must comply with national food safety standards. Formaldehyde, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 human carcinogen, is strictly prohibited for any use in food.
Consequently, Chinese authorities have ordered local governments nationwide to conduct special inspections and random sampling of perishable vegetables such as white cabbage immediately. They emphasized that any violations of laws or safety standards will be met with stringent penalties without leniency.
/sourceChina Daily/Global Times