Beijing, China – The Chinese government has launched an investigation into allegations that fuel tankers have been used to transport cooking oil after carrying toxic chemicals without proper cleaning between loads. This controversy has sparked concerns about potential food contamination, with social media users expressing their worries online.
State-run Beijing News reported that tankers used for transporting fuel were found to be carrying food products such as cooking oil and syrup, without being decontaminated correctly. One driver mentioned in the newspaper referred to the practice of transporting cooking oil in contaminated fuel trucks as an “open secret” in the industry.
The revelation has dealt a significant blow to public trust in the Chinese government’s ability to enforce food safety standards. This scandal has gained traction as the top trending topic on Chinese social media platforms, particularly on Weibo, where tens of thousands of posts discussing the issue have garnered millions of views.
Many users on social media have drawn parallels between this current scandal and the 2008 Sanlu milk scandal, in which hundreds of thousands of children fell ill and several died from consuming powdered milk contaminated with melamine. The gravity of the situation has led to calls for more robust measures to address such issues and ensure food safety.
In China, there are no restrictions on what types of goods tankers can transport, allowing them to carry food products immediately after transporting coal-based oils. The allegations involve major Chinese companies, including a subsidiary of state-owned Sinograin and the Hopefull Grain and Oil Group.
In response to the allegations, Sinograin has announced an investigation to determine if food safety regulations were adhered to, promising to suspend any trucks found to be in violation of the rules. Similarly, the Hopefull Grain and Oil Group stated that they are conducting a thorough self-inspection in light of the accusations.
The Chinese government has assured the public that food safety officials will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, with a commitment to punish any companies or individuals found to be involved in wrongdoing. They have also pledged to promptly publish the findings of the investigation and enforce strict penalties on illegal enterprises and accountable individuals.
At the local level, both the Hebei and Tianjin provincial governments have expressed their intent to investigate the issue further. Authorities have reiterated their zero-tolerance policy towards any breaches of food safety regulations, underscoring their dedication to upholding public health and well-being in the country.