After reports that buyers in Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China, illegally used formaldehyde solution to preserve Chinese cabbage, Zhongnonganpi Suqian Market emphasized that, under the witness of the whistleblower, rapid testing was conducted twice on the batch of Chinese cabbage, and the test results were both qualified. However, a vegetable market in Nanjing has completely banned Chinese cabbage from Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou, from entering the market.
Chinese blogger "Yulie Qige" uploaded a video on Saturday (August 22) stating that when he randomly inspected several trailers loaded with Chinese cabbage in Tunkeng Town, Kangbao County, he discovered that the cabbages were dipped in formaldehyde solution for preservation before loading.
On-site personnel claimed that these cabbages would be transported to an agricultural market in Suqian, Jiangsu, and that dipping in formaldehyde could preserve the cabbage for two to three days.
Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical, and ingesting a large amount may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, kidney damage, and in severe cases, can even be fatal. According to Chinese law, formaldehyde is not permitted as a food processing aid.
Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical, and ingesting a large amount may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, kidney damage, and in severe cases, can even be fatal. According to Chinese law, formaldehyde is not permitted as a food processing aid.
The Kangbao County government issued a notice on the same day stating that a preliminary investigation found the video’s contents to be true, and that the practice was an illegal act by buyers for vegetable transport preservation. The police have imposed compulsory measures on the personnel and vehicles involved, are tracing the whereabouts of the cabbage, and are conducting a comprehensive investigation of all vegetable purchasing, transport, and sales links in the county.
After the incident was exposed, many netizens expressed concern about the implicated cabbage entering the market. "Yulie Qige" followed up on Sunday (the 23rd), saying that production areas had since added a sampling process, so if subsequent testing found problems, the source could be traced; various regions have also strengthened inspections for Chinese cabbage, so the public is "very unlikely to ever again eat dipped cabbage."
After the incident was exposed, many netizens expressed concern about the implicated cabbage entering the market. "Yulie Qige" followed up on Sunday (the 23rd), saying that production areas had since added a sampling process, so if subsequent testing found problems, the source could be traced; various regions have also strengthened inspections for Chinese cabbage, so the public is "very unlikely to ever again eat dipped cabbage."
The Fengtai District Government in Beijing reported that as of Saturday night, after a full investigation, the implicated cabbage had not entered Beijing’s Xinfadi Market, and the supply of the capital’s “vegetable basket” was safe and stable.
The Suqian Zhonghe Agricultural Products Market Development Co., Ltd. (Zhongnonganpi Suqian Market) issued a statement on its WeChat official account on Sunday night, saying that the company was notified by the police at noon on Friday (the 21st) that someone had reported "a truck of cabbage from Kangbao, Hebei, suspected of being dipped in formaldehyde solution".
Zhongnonganpi Suqian Market said the company immediately cooperated with the police and relevant authorities, conducted two rapid tests on the batch of cabbage in the presence of the whistleblower, both of which were qualified; the whistleblower was notified on site and raised no objections.
Zhongnonganpi Suqian Market said the company immediately cooperated with the police and relevant authorities, conducted two rapid tests on the batch of cabbage in the presence of the whistleblower, both of which were qualified; the whistleblower was notified on site and raised no objections.
The statement said the company has long implemented strict entry requirements and sampling mechanisms for agricultural products. When the batch entered the market that morning, it underwent rapid testing as per regulation, and the result was qualified.
The company also said that after the incident, following the guidance of the market surveillance authorities, the batch of cabbage was sent to an authoritative testing institution, yielding qualified results. Meanwhile, all Chinese cabbage inventory in the market was immediately sealed, a broader review conducted, and the frequency of rapid testing for pesticide residues in other farm products was increased.
The statement emphasized that all edible agricultural products currently in Zhongnonganpi Suqian Market have regulated certificates of origin and qualified test reports.
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Nanjing Zhongcai Vegetable Market immediately carried out emergency screening and action.
The Nanjing Zhongcai Vegetable Market receives about 150 tonnes of cabbage daily, with sources covering Shandong, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and other areas. According to the report, starting Saturday, a thorough inspection and sampling of all cabbages on sale and awaiting sale in the market was launched, with a total of 53 batches tested, and no formaldehyde or other harmful substances were detected.
The market has now completely banned Chinese cabbage from Kangbao County, Zhangjiakou, from entry; Chinese cabbage from other regions has been upgraded to a variety of concern, with formaldehyde now included as a mandatory testing item. The principle of “test before entry, sell only if qualified” is strictly enforced. Vendors are also urged to obtain certificates and invoices, strengthen food safety education, and take greater responsibility for the safety of sourced goods.
The report also states that the supply of Chinese cabbage from Shandong, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and other regions in the Nanjing Zhongcai Vegetable Market is sufficient and price remains stable.