Hebei county confirms formaldehyde used on cabbages
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Authorities in Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou, in Hebei province said an on-site investigation confirmed reports that some cabbages were dipped in formaldehyde solution before being loaded for transport. The county government said the practice was an illegal act by produce buyers seeking to keep vegetables fresh during shipment. Police have taken coercive measures against the people and vehicles involved, and the case remains under further investigation. Officials are also urgently tracing the distribution of the affected cabbages and carrying out countywide checks on vegetable purchasing, transport and sales.
Key Points
- A mainland blogger said on Saturday, February 22, that cabbages in Tunken Town, Kangbao County, were being treated with formaldehyde before loading onto trucks
- Kangbao County organized agriculture, market regulation and public security departments to conduct field verification after the online allegations surfaced
- Initial findings said the allegations were true, identifying the conduct as an illegal preservation method used by buyers during transport loading.
- Video cited by on.cc showed a truck driver saying one shipment was bound for Suqian in Jiangsu, while another person said treatment could preserve cabbages for two to three days
- The county government said it had launched emergency tracing of the cabbages' destinations and a comprehensive inspection of purchasing, transport and sales links.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case underscores how food-safety risks can emerge in upstream handling and transport, before produce reaches wholesale or retail markets. It also shows why traceability and enforcement across supply chains matter when vegetables can be moved quickly across provinces after collection.