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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

China Reports Formaldehyde Found on Cabbage; Doctor Warns of Cancer Risk

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Recent reports from China allege that formaldehyde solution was applied to cabbage to preserve it, sparking public concern, especially in South Korea.
  • A toxicologist confirmed that formaldehyde, or formalin when mixed with water, is prohibited for use on natural foods like cabbage and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the IARC.
  • While formaldehyde is water-soluble and can be aided by drinking more water, it is difficult to detect visually or by smell, making government-level oversight the most effective prevention method.

Concerns are mounting following reports from China that formaldehyde was used on cabbage to extend its shelf life. This practice has drawn significant attention, particularly from South Korea, where cabbage is a staple ingredient for kimchi. The alleged use of a chemical preservative on a fresh produce item has ignited public alarm.

The use of formalin to extend the shelf life of cabbage is indeed worrying.

— Dr. Yen Tsung-haiA physician at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, commenting on the alleged application of formaldehyde to cabbage.

According to Dr. Yen Tsung-hai, a physician at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's Department of Nephrology, formaldehyde, when mixed with water to form formalin, is strictly prohibited for use on natural foods such as cabbage. The regulations, as outlined by Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration, permit its use only in processed foods. "The use of formalin to extend the shelf life of cabbage is indeed worrying," Dr. Yen stated.

Dr. Yen explained that formalin is an irritant and consuming it could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including vomiting. Furthermore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to excessive amounts of formaldehyde could potentially increase cancer risk. Although formaldehyde is water-soluble, aiding its excretion through increased water intake might be possible, its persistence in the body is a concern.

Formalin is an irritant, and if accidentally ingested, it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, leading to symptoms like vomiting.

— Dr. Yen Tsung-haiExplaining the immediate health effects of consuming formaldehyde.

The difficulty in detecting formaldehyde, as it is neither visually apparent nor easily detectable by smell, complicates matters further, especially when cabbage is used in dishes like kimchi. Dr. Yen emphasized that the most effective method for ensuring food safety is through rigorous oversight by government agencies and relevant authorities at the point of production and distribution, preventing consumers from inadvertently ingesting harmful substances.

Formaldehyde is also listed as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). If too much formaldehyde is consumed over a long period, it could lead to cancer.

— Dr. Yen Tsung-haiHighlighting the long-term cancer risks associated with formaldehyde exposure.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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