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Cooking oil scandal may prompt China to tighten food safety policies, observers say
- With limited censorship around report and harsh criticism from state media, observer says Beijing appears to be ‘facing this problem head-on’
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Allegations that Chinese companies have been using the same trucks to transport fuel and cooking oil are likely to be raised at a key political meeting next week and could prompt Beijing to tighten food safety policies, observers say.
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An investigative report by state-backed Beijing News last week said the tankers were being used for both fuel and food products like cooking oil, soybean oil and syrup. It said it was an “open secret” that the tankers did not get cleaned between deliveries to save costs.
The report has sparked widespread public concern and calls for more oversight of the industry, and on Tuesday China’s cabinet, the State Council, set up a team to investigate the allegations.
Observers say Beijing does not appear to be trying to cover up the scandal, even though it has emerged at a politically sensitive time ahead of the third plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, which starts on Monday.
There has been limited censorship around the report, which implicated a subsidiary of state-owned stockpiler Sinograin and private firm the Hopefull Grain and Oil Group. Both companies have launched their own investigations.
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As well as a public outcry on social media, the report has prompted harsh criticism from state media over the alleged wrongdoing.
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