Surveillance and testing of cabbages is being increased by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) following reports of the use of formaldehyde on the vegetables in China.
“The SFA is aware of reports regarding the alleged use of formaldehyde on cabbages in China,” said the agency in a statement on Sept 1.
“SFA is monitoring the developments closely and has stepped up surveillance and testing of cabbages as part of our food safety monitoring programme.”
This comes after South Korea similarly stepped up inspections of Chinese cabbage imports as the food safety scandal in China, involving the vegetables being dipped in formaldehyde, stirs regional concern. Taiwan has also moved to reassure consumers over the scandal, with the island also checking whether potentially tainted produce could have reached it indirectly.
China has carried out nationwide inspections of perishable vegetables, after authorities in northern Hebei province confirmed on Aug 22 that formaldehyde - a known carcinogen - had been illegally used to preserve cabbages during transportation.
Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical used by morgues to preserve dead bodies, among other applications – to make them last longer. AGENCIES
