In Hebei Province (China), an incident has been confirmed in which a wholesale trader illegally used a formaldehyde solution to keep batches of Chinese cabbage fresh before loading and transportation. This was reported on August 22, 2026, by local authorities in Kangbao County (Zhangjiakou City), as well as by the newspaper "People's Daily." According to preliminary investigation findings, the information presented in a video published by a blogger on the same day proved to be accurate: several batches of cabbage, randomly selected for testing, had indeed been treated with a Group 1 carcinogen.
Timeline: from a blogger's video to the detention
The incident became public on August 22, when a blogger published video footage claiming that batches of cabbage intended for shipment in Kangbao County had been treated with formaldehyde. On the same day, the county government announced the immediate mobilization of relevant authorities to conduct an on-site inspection. Acting in accordance with applicable law, the police applied coercive measures against the individuals and vehicles involved in the violation. At the time of publication, the case was still under investigation.
Official response and scope of inspections
The authorities of Kangbao County are urgently tracing the origin and destination of the affected batches of cabbage. In parallel, comprehensive inspections are being carried out at every stage of the chain — from procurement to transportation and retail sale of vegetables — in order to identify and prevent similar violations. As local officials emphasized, the aim of the inspections is not only to identify the specific culprits but also to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in a region that is one of the key suppliers of cabbage to the domestic market of the PRC.
Legal framework and health hazards
In accordance with the PRC Food Safety Law and the Law on the Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, the use of any freshness-enhancing agents, preservatives, or other substances during the packaging, storage, warehousing, and transportation of agricultural products must strictly comply with national food safety standards. Formaldehyde (methanal) is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen, and its use in the food industry on the territory of China is categorically prohibited. Violation of this ban carries criminal liability.
Economic consequences and the press's position
In a commentary published by "People's Daily" on August 22, the newspaper's journalists called the incident an "extremely serious violation." In their words, traders, seeking to improve the appearance of the cabbage and minimize losses during transportation, disregarded the risks to consumers' health, "crossed the red line of the law and violated basic ethical norms." It was separately emphasized that such actions damage the reputation of local agricultural products as a whole and harm honest farmers who comply with all established standards. Experts note that the incident may affect consumer confidence in products from the Hebei region and strengthen requirements for oversight at wholesale markets across the province.
