KOR
▲ The controversy over "formaldehyde-treated cabbage" in China
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced today (August 26) that tests conducted on eight shipments of Chinese Napa cabbage declared for import over the two days starting from August 24 showed no detection of formaldehyde, following media reports that China used formaldehyde, a Group 1 carcinogen, in growing Napa cabbage.
The ministry stated that it has been testing imported Chinese Napa cabbage for formaldehyde content at the customs clearance stage every time since August 24, and is also conducting tests by manufacturing facility for kimchi and salted Napa cabbage.
The ministry explained that it is also collecting and testing products from all Chinese manufacturing facilities regarding Chinese Napa cabbage, kimchi, and salted Napa cabbage currently distributed in South Korea, and will make the results public in the future.
In addition, the ministry added that it is communicating with the Chinese government to verify whether Napa cabbage treated with formaldehyde has been imported into South Korea.
An official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, "We will continuously monitor information regarding formaldehyde-treated cabbage and strengthen inspections to do our utmost so that the public can consume food with peace of mind."
Formaldehyde is a hazardous substance classified as a "Group 1 carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization (WHO), and is used for disinfection and the preservation of biological tissues.
Previously, it was revealed that formaldehyde was used in some rural regions of China to maintain the freshness of Napa cabbage, prompting the Chinese central government to order a special investigation.
The Chinese government has been tracking the distribution routes of the problematic cabbage locally while ordering sample tests and market surveys across various regions in China.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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