China investigates formaldehyde use in cabbage to preserve freshness

formaldehyde food safety Chinese cabbage kimchi carcinogen

A food safety scandal has emerged in China after a video surfaced showing workers in Hebei province submerging Chinese cabbage in formaldehyde to maintain freshness during transport. Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and its use in food preservation is strictly prohibited in China.

The incident has caused significant concern in neighboring countries, particularly South Korea, where Chinese cabbage is a primary ingredient for kimchi. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has intensified inspections at customs and is conducting sampling tests on cabbage, kimchi, and pickled cabbage currently in circulation. While eight recent shipments of Chinese cabbage tested negative for formaldehyde, authorities are working with the Chinese government to track the distribution of potentially affected products.

In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is investigating whether any contaminated cabbage has entered the country. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have launched a special investigation to trace the distribution of the affected vegetables and have initiated legal actions against those involved in the illegal chemical treatment.

Entities

China · Hebei Province · International Agency for Research on Cancer · Japan · Ministry of Food and Drug Safety · South Korea · World Health Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). blockchainseoul.kr · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr · kaigai.ch · www.fnn.jp · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] South Korean authorities have increased formaldehyde testing for Chinese cabbage during the customs clearance process. blockchainseoul.kr · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr · www.thehubnews.net · cafef.vn · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The Chinese central government has ordered a special investigation to track the distribution of the affected cabbage. blockchainseoul.kr · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr · periodicoatico.com.ar · www.vetrinatv.it · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] A blogger released a video showing cabbage being soaked in a liquid to maintain freshness in some Chinese rural areas. blockchainseoul.kr · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.fnn.jp · www.seoul.co.kr · periodicoatico.com.ar · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is investigating whether the contaminated cabbage has entered the country. www.fnn.jp
[● 3 SOURCES] Eight recent shipments of Chinese cabbage imported into South Korea tested negative for formaldehyde. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr · blockchainseoul.kr
[● 5 SOURCES] Authorities in Hebei province confirmed verified footage shows people submerging cabbages in a solution before transport. periodicoatico.com.ar · noticiasnippon.jp · www.vetrinatv.it · cafef.vn · kenh14.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] Local authorities in Kangbao County stated that any illegal practices discovered will be strictly prosecuted to ensure vegetable supply safety. periodicoatico.com.ar · noticiasnippon.jp
[○ 1 SOURCE] Beijing’s Xinfadi Market stated that none of the contaminated cabbages entered its facility after an investigation. periodicoatico.com.ar
[○ 1 SOURCE] China is the world's largest producer of cabbage, producing nearly half of the global annual supply. www.vetrinatv.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The use of formaldehyde to preserve food is strictly prohibited in China. periodicoatico.com.ar · noticiasnippon.jp · www.vetrinatv.it
[● 3 SOURCES] Police have initiated legal actions against the individuals involved in the chemical treatment of vegetables. periodicoatico.com.ar · noticiasnippon.jp · www.vetrinatv.it