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, sparking concerns about potential food contamination.
According to state-run Beijing News, tankers used for transporting fuel were found to be carrying food products like cooking oil and syrup without being decontaminated correctly. This practice was reportedly so widespread that it was considered an “open secret” in the industry.
The controversy has ignited a firestorm on Chinese social media, with tens of thousands of posts on Weibo discussing the scandal. Many users have expressed outrage and compared it to the 2008 Sanlu milk scandal, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of children falling ill after consuming contaminated milk.
Several major Chinese companies, including a subsidiary of state-owned Sinograin and the Hopefull Grain and Oil Group, are implicated in the allegations. Sinograin has stated that it is investigating whether food safety regulations were followed, while Hopefull Grain is conducting a thorough self-inspection.
The Chinese government has vowed to punish any companies and individuals found to be involved in wrongdoing, with state broadcaster CCTV emphasizing that illegal enterprises will not be tolerated. Local governments in Hebei and Tianjin have also pledged to look into the matter.
As the investigation unfolds, the public is eagerly awaiting the findings and hoping for swift action to ensure food safety standards are upheld. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
