Image source, Getty Images
- author, Joao da Silva
- role, Business reporter
China has announced it will launch an investigation into allegations that fuel tankers were loaded with toxic chemicals without being properly cleaned between loads and then used to transport edible oil.
The controversy has spread online as social media users express concern about possible food contamination.
The tanker used to transport the fuel was carrying food products such as cooking oil and syrup but was found to have not been properly decontaminated, according to the state-run Beijing News.
One driver quoted by the paper said transporting cooking oil in contaminated fuel trucks was so common it was considered an “open secret” in the industry.
The case marks the latest blow to public confidence in the Chinese government’s ability to enforce food safety standards.
The controversy has become one of China’s most talked-about topics on social media in recent days.
There are tens of thousands of posts about the scandal on China’s Twitter-like Weibo, formerly known as Twitter, which have been viewed millions of times.
“Food safety is a top priority,” said one comment that has been liked more than 8,000 times.
“Just surviving in this world as a normal human being is already a great thing,” said another.
Many have compared it to the Sanlu Milk scandal of 2008, in which some 300,000 children fell ill and at least six died after drinking milk powder contaminated with high levels of the industrial chemical melamine.
“This is far worse than the Sanlu incident. [a] “It’s a statement,” one user commented.
In China, tankers are not limited to any particular type of cargo, so in theory they could transport foodstuffs shortly after carrying coal-based oil.
The claims implicate several large Chinese companies, including subsidiaries of state-owned Sinograin and Hopeful Grain and Oil Group.
Sinograin said it was investigating whether food safety regulations were properly adhered to.
The company also said it would immediately suspend the use of any trucks found to be violating the rules.
A representative for Hopeful Grain told the government-run Global Times newspaper that the company was conducting a “thorough self-inspection”.
China’s food safety authorities said they would investigate the allegations.
They promised to punish companies and individuals involved in wrongdoing.
They also pledged to immediately make public the results of their investigation.
“Illegal companies and relevant responsible parties will be severely punished in accordance with the law and will not be tolerated,” state-run CCTV said.
At the local level, the Hebei and Tianjin provincial governments have also said they are investigating the matter.
Additional reporting by Fan Wang
