Revelations that edible oil has been transported in containers meant to carry fuel have sparked outrage in China, the latest scandal in a country where fears about food safety are widespread.
Local government-backed newspaper the Beijing News published an investigation last week into what it described as an “open secret” in the transport industry.
The outlet found that many tanker trucks transported edible oil immediately after unloading coal oil, and no cleaning processes were carried out in between trips.
Truck drivers told the newspaper that the practice helped them cut costs amid increased competition.
The outlet quoted food science expert Zhu Yi as saying that long-term use of coal oil, which mainly consists of hydrocarbons, could cause poisoning.
Authorities have vowed to take strong action, and the central government announced on Tuesday that it would launch an investigation.
In recent years, Beijing has pledged to do more to tighten food safety regulations and strengthen public trust.
Food safety scandals are nothing new for the Chinese public.
In the year 2008, six infants died and lakhs of children became victims of poisoning due to milk adulterated with melamine chemical.
In 2022, Chinese pork-processing giant Henan Shuanghui apologised after unhygienic work practices, such as packing spilled meat on the floor and workers wearing dirty uniforms, were exposed.
And last year, top beer maker Tsingtao launched an investigation after a video went viral showing a factory worker urinating on raw materials.
Social media users expressed outrage over the latest pollution scandal.
One user on X-like social media platform Weibo said: “After reading these exposed issues, I am not surprised at all!”
“From melamine to drinking kerosene, what haven’t we experienced?”
Another user said he expected a “speedy” investigation and “clear explanation” from the authorities.
“Otherwise, I literally don’t know which oil to buy,” he wrote.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
