Outrage in China after reports of fuel tankers transporting cooking oil
What sparked the investigations into China's cooking oil transport?
The investigations into China's cooking oil transport were sparked by revelations that cooking oil was being transported in industrial fuel tankers that had previously carried fuel without being cleaned in between4. This came to light after a state-run newspaper, Beijing News, reported that the country's largest state-run grain company, Sinograin, was transporting cooking oil in trucks also used for coal-derived fuel without washing the vehicles between shipments.
How did the Chinese government respond to the oil transport scandal?
The Chinese government launched an investigation into the oil transport scandal after public outrage followed a news report that a tanker truck carried liquefied coal and was then immediately used to transport cooking oil without being cleaned3. China’s cabinet, the State Council, ordered multiple departments to investigate, and local probes were launched in Hebei province and Tianjin city4.
What concerns do consumers have about the cooking oil they use daily?
Consumers are concerned about the potential contamination of cooking oil with carcinogens, heavy metals, or other toxic substances due to transportation in industrial fuel tankers that had previously carried fuel without being cleaned in between. This has led to fears about the safety and quality of cooking oil, particularly soybean oil, commonly used for stir-frying at home.