CHINA COOKING OIL SCANDAL
China cooking oil scandal…
China cooking oil scandal raises food safety challenges. Chinese media recently reported that manufacturers use fuel tankers to transport edible oil. The report ignites public outrage over food safety. It has been a long-standing issue as suppliers cut corners to save on costs.
The scandal over edible oil contamination in China came to light in early July. In fact, it brings to light the long-standing struggle to improve food safety measures with Chinese manufacturers. State-backed media, The Beijing News revealed the scandal on 2 July 2024. It involves two Chinese companies. They reportedly used fuel tankers to transfer edible oil without any cleaning process in place. Authorities have announced a high-level inquiry amid public outrage. Thus far, people are asking ‘How will similar incidents never happen again’. These comments are getting thousands of likes on the Chinese microblogging platform Welbo.
Food safety
This food safety issue is not the first nationwide scandal. Chinese media discovered similar incidents of improper transfer of food oil in 2005 and 2015. Another food safety challenge known to the authorities is the use of ‘gutter oil’. Gutter oil is cooking oil that is recycled from drains and grease traps. It is then sold cheaply to restaurants.
According to a professor of political science at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University in the USA, this latest episode indicates China is at the beginning stages of transforming its food system. This is despite decades of effort to transform. The professor researched Chinese regulatory reform. The professor further claims it appears to be a work in progress. It is not something that may be solved overnight.
Chemical tanks
According to the investigative report into this scandal two chemical tanker trucks were used for cooking oil. They were loaded with cooking oil for delivery immediately after transporting chemical products. The media claims it was a cost-saving measure. However, it had become an ‘open secret’ in the supply chain. The two companies using chemical tankers are state-owned and private conglomerates. In response to the allegations, both companies have launched their investigations.
According to the editor of the Beijing News, the cooking oil transport industry is effectively in a state of chaos. Thus, attributing to the issues to inadequate manufacturer oversight. It lacks mandatory transport standards and regulations. While China has guidelines suggesting dedicated edible oil, these are mere ‘recommendations’. Therefore standards leave room for cutting corners.
More enforcement
A senior fellow for global health at the Council of Foreign Relations claims switching between chemicals and vegetable oil shipments was unacceptable. This is so, even if tankers are cleaned between deliveries. According to these authorities, simply strengthening regulations would not solve the underlying problem in China’s food safety system. China has some of the world’s strictest food safety laws. The first version was implemented in 2009. Since then there have been several amendments. Therefore, it needs better enforcement.
China launched an institutional reform that abolished the country’s Food and Drug Administration (CFDA in 2018. It merged agencies in charge of food and drug products into a new authority. The new authority is directly subordinate to the State Council. It means the functions of regulating food safety as been undermined. Perhaps, the Chinese government should have given its FDA more power to surpass the central ministry level.
