Taiwan food authority conducts border inspections

Pesticide residues exceed limits in Vietnam-origin cabbage

A scene from a video posted by a Chinese blogger exposing the use of formaldehyde on cabbage [Yonhap]
A scene from a video posted by a Chinese blogger exposing the use of formaldehyde on cabbage [Yonhap]

Taiwan's food safety authority has detected pesticide residues exceeding legal limits in Vietnam-origin cabbage during border inspections, amid ongoing concerns over the use of formaldehyde — a Group 1 carcinogen — on cabbage in parts of China, a practice that came to light in August.

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that border sampling inspections found pesticide residues in 18,900 kilograms of Vietnam-origin cabbage, in violation of regulations, according to Taiwan's Liberty Times.

The newspaper said Taiwan's FDA launched the border inspections out of concern that "some unscrupulous Chinese wholesalers are soaking the roots of harvested cabbage in formaldehyde solution — a Group 1 carcinogen — to extend shelf life," adding that "many people worry such cabbage could enter the market after being laundered through other countries such as Vietnam, or processed into kimchi."

According to the report, the FDA said the cabbage, declared by importer Zhu Chang Trading Co., tested positive for the pesticide trichlorfon at 0.02 ppm. The permissible limit under Taiwan regulations is 0.01 ppm.

The Vietnam-origin cabbage that exceeded the limit is set to be returned or destroyed.

The FDA also said Chinese-made melamine soup spoons violated the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation after failing harmful substance leaching tests.

Fresh potatoes from the United States, pickled ginger from Japan, yam from China and cod roe sauce from France were also found to contain preservatives, sweeteners or pesticides that failed to meet standards, and are likewise set to be returned or destroyed.

The controversy began in August when a Chinese blogger released footage filmed at a cabbage purchasing site in Kangbao County, claiming that "workers are dipping cabbage in formaldehyde solution to keep it fresh."

The video showed buyers lifting individual heads of cabbage and dipping the roots into a basin containing a liquid believed to be formaldehyde before loading them onto trucks. A container labeled "formaldehyde solution" was found beside one of the vehicles.

A person at the scene said the treatment could keep cabbage fresh for an additional two to three days.

Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with a strong irritating odor; its aqueous solution is commonly known as formalin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a body under the WHO, classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

The Kangbao County government conducted an on-site investigation and confirmed the contents of the video. It described the incident as "an illegal act committed by a buyer to preserve freshness during cabbage transport," and said public security authorities had taken legal action against those involved and their vehicles.


jshan@heraldcorp.com