Six detained over pesticide use in Xiamen eateries
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A chain disinfection services company in Xiamen, Fujian, was accused of long-term use of the potent pesticide dichlorvos to carry out pest-control work for dozens of well-known restaurant chains . Xiamen’s joint investigation team said on Saturday, August 30, that six suspects, including the company boss, had been placed under criminal detention . Investigators said the company’s conduct was suspected to be illegal and in serious breach of regulations, and described the nature of the case as extremely bad . After a broader review of businesses served by the company, authorities said tests on site environments and catering utensils showed relevant indicators met safety standards .
Key Points
- The company involved was Xiamen Lulin Sen Environmental Technology Co., which authorities said was suspected of illegal and non-compliant conduct .
- Police criminally detained six suspects, including legal representative Zhuang Mouchen, shareholder Zeng Mouming, and training supervisor Li Mou .
- Media reports said staff poured undiluted dichlorvos into mineral water bottles, removed labels, and sprayed tables, chairs, and tableware directly .
- The same reports said workers also used unlabelled, unpackaged “three-no” rodent poison while servicing dozens of chain restaurant brands .
- Restaurants named in earlier reporting included Green Tea Restaurant, Xianqi Banbudian tavern, Fengyuanjia Hong Kong-style dim sum, and Yuzhi Sushi .
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers who frequently travel to or dine in mainland cities, the case raises concerns about how outsourced pest-control work is supervised in food premises . It also underscores the public-health risk when agricultural chemicals such as dichlorvos, described as a medium-to-high toxicity organophosphate insecticide with carcinogenic risk, are used in places where food is served .