Kimchi-Loving South Korea Ups China Cabbage Checks After Scandal
South Korea has stepped up checks of cabbage arriving from China after sellers there were found to be using formaldehyde to keep the brassicas fresh, triggering a widespread crackdown by Beijing.
South Korea has increased inspections of cabbage imports from China following a scandal involving the use of formaldehyde to preserve the vegetables, according to a report by an automated news agency feed. Chinese cabbage, a key ingredient in kimchi, is a staple in Korean cuisine. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has ramped up border inspections and is monitoring for any cabbage that may have already entered the country.
If necessary, additional measures will be taken, the ministry stated. China responded by conducting spot checks and market inspections after videos surfaced online showing cabbages being soaked in formaldehyde to extend their shelf life. This chemical is also used in mortuaries to preserve bodies. South Korea, which produces most of its own cabbage, relies heavily on Chinese imports for kimchi, with nearly all of the 341,316.9 tons imported in the past year coming from China.
The scandal began when footage showed workers in China's Kangbao county dipping cabbage roots into liquid before loading them onto trucks. Local authorities confirmed the use of formaldehyde in this process, according to media reports.
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