A video posted on Aug. 22 [1] shows Chinese cabbage being soaked in a formaldehyde solution to keep the vegetables fresh longer.
The discovery has sparked public alarm across East Asia because formaldehyde is a toxic chemical. The incident raises urgent questions about food safety standards and the integrity of produce supply chains crossing international borders.
The footage was filmed in Hebei Province, China [2]. It depicts market stalls and workers loading treated cabbage onto a truck [2]. According to distributors, the chemical solution keeps the cabbage fresh for an additional two to three days [2]. This practice is presumably used to reduce spoilage and increase profits for the exporters.
The incident became widely reported in Chinese media on Aug. 25 [2]. The fallout has extended beyond China, with concerns rising in South Korea regarding kimchi production and in Japan regarding imported produce.
In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said it is currently confirming the situation [2]. The ministry is investigating whether any contaminated shipments have entered the Japanese market.
Formaldehyde is commonly used in industrial applications and embalming but is not a food-grade preservative. The use of such chemicals in produce violates safety regulations in multiple jurisdictions. While the video provided visual evidence of the practice in Hebei, officials are now working to determine the scale of the distribution network involved in the treatment process.
“Formaldehyde is commonly used in industrial applications and embalming but is not a food-grade preservative.”
This incident highlights a critical vulnerability in the regional food supply chain, where the pressure to reduce spoilage in perishable goods can lead to the use of illegal industrial chemicals. Because Chinese cabbage is a primary ingredient for staples like kimchi and various East Asian salads, the contamination risk extends to processed food industries in South Korea and Japan, likely leading to stricter import inspections and chemical screening for produce from Hebei Province.
