Beijing, China – Authorities in China have launched investigations into the transportation of cooking oil in industrial fuel tankers previously used for carrying fuel without being cleaned in between shipments. The revelations have sparked outrage among Chinese families worried about the health risks posed by contaminated oil in a country plagued by food safety scandals.
The news broke just days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to convene a high-level meeting of the Communist Party to prioritize his “common prosperity” agenda and introduce a reform package to boost confidence in the struggling economy. As reports of contaminated oil continued to surface across the country, China’s cabinet ordered multiple departments to investigate the matter, with local probes initiated in Hebei province and Tianjin City.
The state-run Beijing News uncovered that the largest state-run grain company, Sinograin, was transporting cooking oil in trucks also used for coal-derived fuel without washing the vehicles in between. This practice of mixing truck use was described as an “open secret” in the industry and a cost-cutting measure for cargo companies. Despite third-party transportation providers being primarily responsible, cooking oil manufacturers were found to turn a blind eye due to the lack of legally binding regulations prohibiting the practice.
The incident has left consumers grappling with concerns over whether the cooking oil they are using is contaminated with harmful substances. The lack of regulations and oversight in the industry have raised fears among shoppers about the safety of commonly used oils like soybean oil. The situation has underscored the larger issue of food safety scandals in China dating back to the early 2000s, when regulatory oversight was lax and profit-driven practices led to compromising public health.
In response to the public outcry, China’s State Council launched an interdepartmental investigation into the transportation of edible oils, promising severe penalties for any malpractice. Despite official condemnations and promises of strict action, concerns have persisted among Chinese consumers, with many questioning the lack of regulations separating industrial goods and consumer goods in transportation.
The incident has reignited discussions on the importance of public oversight and investigative journalism in exposing health and safety risks overlooked by officials. While the original article on the matter remains online, follow-up reporting by other outlets has been swiftly removed, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on sensitive issues in China. The transportation of contaminated tankers is not a new issue in China, with previous incidents reported in the past, yet lessons seem to have gone unlearned, posing ongoing risks to public health.