Shocking Video Stirs Outrage in China: Cabbages Dipped in Mysterious Basin

Authorities in China have launched an investigation after it was revealed that formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, was used to maintain the freshness of cabbages in a rural area.

According to Chinese media outlets such as Jimu News and The Paper on August 23, authorities in Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, stated that allegations regarding the use of a formaldehyde solution during local cabbage purchasing processes have been confirmed to be true.

Authorities explained that the illegal practice involved cabbage buyers using a formaldehyde solution during the loading process to maintain freshness while transporting the cabbages.

Local public security organs have taken coercive measures under the law against the individuals and vehicles involved and are conducting further investigations.

In addition, authorities are urgently tracing the distribution routes of the problematic cabbages while initiating a comprehensive investigation into the purchase, transport, and sales processes of vegetables across all of Kangbao County.

As of now, it has not been confirmed whether the problematic cabbages were exported overseas to countries like South Korea, and the specific distribution scope within China has not yet been determined.

Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical substance with a strong pungent odor, and its aqueous solution is commonly known as formalin.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency under the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen with sufficient evidence of causing cancer in humans.

China also strictly prohibits the production, sale, and use of formaldehyde as a food processing aid through laws such as the Food Safety Law and the Agricultural Product Quality Safety Law.

This incident came to light after an internet blogger released a video capturing a cabbage purchasing site in Kangbao County.

The blogger claimed that upon checking multiple cabbage transport vehicles at the site, work was being carried out to apply a formaldehyde solution to keep the cabbages fresh before loading them onto the trucks.

The released video shows workers lifting cabbages one by one, dipping their root parts into a basin containing a liquid presumed to be formaldehyde, taking them out, and loading them onto freight trucks.

An on-site official explained that processing them in this manner allows the cabbages to stay fresh for 2 to 3 days longer.

A container labeled "formaldehyde solution" was also discovered next to a freight truck.

Kangbao County authorities stated that they are investigating whether similar illegal activities occurred throughout the entire process from vegetable purchasing to transport and sales, and vowed to punish any confirmed violations severely in accordance with the law.
(Photo: Capture from Chinese internet blogger video, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.