Six Chinese Firms Charged After Dipping Stem Lettuce in Mystery Green Liquid

Six Chinese food-processing businesses have been charged after stem lettuce was dipped in a green liquid to make it appear fresh, prompting authorities to destroy all of the affected produce.

The case surfaced after a Chinese internet user identified as Zhang visited vegetable workshops in Yuzhong county, Gansu province, and posted video of stem lettuce, known in South Korea as gungchae, being immersed in an unidentified green substance. Zhang said that more than half of the 13 workshops he visited were dipping vegetables in an unknown liquid.

Tests on liquid collected at the site detected blue and yellow edible dyes. The two colors had been mixed to give the stem lettuce an artificial green tint. Although the dyes can be used in food, reports said their use in vegetable processing is not permitted.

After the video spread, local authorities urgently inspected 53 vegetable storage and distribution companies. They identified six businesses that had used the dyes illegally, charged them and disposed of all related stem lettuce. The case has added to a series of food hygiene concerns reported in China this year, including pork containing excessive antibiotic levels and dried strawberries found to contain heavy metals. Online calls have grown for stronger enforcement and punishment of the companies involved.

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After visiting 13 vegetable workshops, I found that more than half were dipping vegetables in an unidentified liquid.