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Chinese authorities launch nationwide food safety inspection after formaldehyde solution is used to preserve cabbage in Hebei Province

The administration announced a nationwide food safety inspection following reports that cabbage sellers in northern China used formaldehyde solution to keep vegetables fresh during transportation. The incident came to light after a video posted by blogger Yulie Qige showed workers in Kangbao County, Hebei Province, dipping cabbage roots into a container of formaldehyde—a Group 1 carcinogen—before loading them onto trucks. Local authorities confirmed the illegal practice, noting that while the treatment keeps cabbage fresh for two to three days, formaldehyde is strictly prohibited for this purpose in China. The administration, along with the Food Safety Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, ordered officials to trace the distribution of the affected cabbage and prevent it from entering the market. While Beijing's Xinfadi Market reported that the affected cabbage had not entered its supply route, other markets like Nanjing's Zhongcai Vegetable Market have banned cabbage from Kangbao County. Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is also investigating whether the formaldehyde-treated cabbage was exported to Korea.

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