{
  "id": 5522549,
  "title": "No evidence of formalin found in cabbage, other vegetables imported from China: SFA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/no-evidence-of-formalin-found-in-cabbage-other-vegetables-imported",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T08:10:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no-evidence-of-formalin-found-in-cabbage-other-vegetables-imported-from-china-sfa"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Food Agency (SFA) announced that tests conducted on vegetables imported from China, such as cabbage, have not detected any formalin contamination. This comes after concerns were raised about cabbage from Hebei, China, being treated with formalin, a formaldehyde solution. The SFA has a food sampling and testing programme as part of its risk management approach to ensure compliance with Singapore's food regulations. The agency stated that it will continue monitoring, sampling, and testing to ensure the safety of all food products sold, including vegetables from China. On September 1, the SFA acknowledged reports of potential formaldehyde use on cabbage in China and increased surveillance and testing as part of its food safety monitoring programme. China conducted spot checks and inspections following the widespread circulation of online videos showing cabbage being dipped into the industrial chemical to prolong its shelf life. The incident began in Kangbao county, Hebei province, where workers dipped cabbage roots into liquid before transporting the vegetables. Local authorities confirmed the use of formaldehyde during the purchasing and transport process, according to Chinese and South Korean media reports. In response, the SFA advised consumers to follow food safety tips, such as washing hands before and after handling vegetables and thoroughly washing non-ready-to-eat vegetables. Additional information on the safety of raw vegetables can be found on the SFA's website.",
  "summary": "There had been reports of cabbage from Hebei, China, being treated with formalin.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}