China investigates vegetables dipped in formaldehyde
The safety of China's cabbages, which are exported across the world, has been thrown into question after the vegetables were found to be dipped in the cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde.
Chinese authorities have confirmed that Napa cabbages from the country's largest cabbage-producing region contain traces of formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical. This discovery has sparked nationwide market checks for potentially contaminated vegetables. According to a Chinese environmentalist vlogger, Yu Lie Qi Ge, the cabbages were seen being dipped in a clear liquid labeled "formaldehyde solution" before being loaded onto trucks heading to southern Chinese markets.
The practice of using formaldehyde to keep food fresh is strictly prohibited in China. The vlogger's videos, which showed cabbages being treated with formaldehyde, have been widely shared on Chinese social media, causing widespread panic. Chinese state media condemned the behavior as "vile" and "extremely absurd," while local authorities have launched investigations into the distribution of the affected cabbages.
Multiple countries, including South Korea and Taiwan, have tightened their cabbage inspections in response to the scandal.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
