The Chinese government announced a food safety investigation following public outrage triggered by a news report. The report revealed that a tanker truck used to transport liquefied coal was then immediately employed to carry cooking oil. This incident, reported by The Beijing News, occurred in late May in Yanjiao, Hebei, near Beijing.
According to the newspaper, the tanker truck was not sterilized in between carrying industrial coal oil and soybean oil. Truckers interviewed for the article mentioned that tankers are often not cleaned before loading with cooking oil, sugar, or other substances destined for wholesalers and businesses. The process of cleaning a tanker is time-consuming and costly, taking several hours and at least $40.
China has grappled with food safety issues for the past two decades, including incidents involving melamine-contaminated infant formula and the reuse of cooking oil, a practice known as “gutter oil.”
In response to the report, the Chinese State Council Commission on Food Safety released a statement on Wednesday promising a thorough investigation. The statement emphasized that illegal enterprises and individuals involved would face severe punishments in accordance with the law. The safety risks associated with cooking oil will also be assessed.
A commentary in The People’s Daily, the official mouthpiece of the Communist Party, underscored the paramount importance of food safety. It stressed the need for strict adherence to standards, rigorous supervision, severe penalties, and accountability without any leniency or complacency.
