China which came to light earlier in July highlights the long-standing struggle to improve food safety measures in the country. The scandal, first revealed by state-backed media The Beijing News on July 2, involves two Chinese companies that reportedly used fuel trucks to transport edible oil without any cleaning process between loads. This revelation has ignited a public outcry and prompted authorities to announce a high-level investigation.

“What’s most important is how to convince the people that similar incidents will never happen again,” read one comment that received thousands of likes on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. This is not the first nationwide scandal over food safety issues. In 2005 and 2015, Chinese media uncovered similar practices of improperly transporting food oil. Another well-known food safety problem in China is the use of “gutter oil,” which is cooking oil recycled from drains and grease traps and cheaply sold to restaurants.

John Kojiro Yasuda, an associate professor of political science at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University in the US, who has researched Chinese regulatory reform, told DW that this latest episode indicated that China is still “at the beginning stages of transforming its food system,” despite decades of effort. “It’s really a work in progress. This isn’t something that will be solved overnight,” he said.

Chemical Tanks Used for Cooking Oil

The investigative report into the latest scandal revealed that two tanker trucks had been loaded with cooking oil for delivery immediately after carrying chemical products, a cost-saving measure that the media said had become an “open secret” in the supply chain. The two companies implicated in the report are state transport and storage company Sinograin, and private conglomerate Hopefull Grain and Oil Group. Both companies have launched their own investigations in response to the allegations.

“The edible oil transport industry is effectively in a state of unregulated chaos,” an editor of The Beijing News said in a video report, attributing the problem to inadequate manufacturer oversight and a lack of mandatory transport standards. While China has guidelines suggesting dedicated vehicles for vegetable oils, these are merely “recommended” standards that leave manufacturers room to cut corners, the editor reported. Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, told DW that switching between chemicals and cooking oil shipments was unacceptable, even if the tanks are cleaned between uses. “You just don’t drink from the toilet even though it’s cleaned,” Huang said.

More Enforcement Needed

Huang added that simply strengthening regulations would not solve the underlying problem in China’s food safety system. China already has some of the world’s strictest food safety laws, the first versions of which were implemented in 2009. There have been several amendments over the years.

But Huang said what was needed was better enforcement. In 2018, China launched an institutional reform that abolished the country’s Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and merged agencies in charge of food and drug products into a new authority directly subordinate to the State Council.

“That means the function of regulating food safety has been undermined,” Huang told DW. He added that the Chinese government should have given its FDA more power to surpass the central ministry level. Yasuda told DW other factors should also be considered given the complexity of China’s fragmented food market. Apart from robust regulations and government oversight, he said it was critical to have “a fairly vigilant consumer base that can actively punish noncompliance among food safety suppliers.”

In addition, he said, the modernization of farms was much needed as the sheer number of food producers and distributors is “overwhelming” even in modern-day China. “When you’re dealing with anywhere between 150 to 200 million farms. It’s very challenging to monitor from the ground level up,” Yasuda said.

Political Pressure on Beijing?

The food safety office of China’s State Council has promised that those responsible for any malpractice “will be severely punished.” In 2008, two businessmen convicted of producing and selling infant formula laced with the chemical melamine were sentenced to death, prompting a food safety law to be passed a year later.

China’s leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly vowed to tackle the country’s notorious food safety problems since taking office over a decade ago. In a 2013 speech, he warned that the Communist Party’s legitimacy would be questioned if it “cannot even do a good job in food safety.” But though Beijing says it views food safety as a priority, Yasuda expressed doubt that it would be willing to “open the floodgates of empowering consumers and the media” to solve the problem.

In the wake of the recent cooking oil scandal, Chinese media have reported that an app allowing users to track trucks across the country was disabled. Beijing News reporter Han Futao, who first revealed the malpractice, was found to have his Weibo account deleted.

Food Safety in China

China’s history of food safety scandals has been marred by several high-profile incidents that have shaken public confidence. The 2008 melamine-tainted milk scandal was one of the most notorious, where milk and infant formula were adulterated with melamine, leading to widespread illness and fatalities. This scandal led to a significant overhaul of food safety laws, yet problems persist. In 2011, the “gutter oil” scandal came to light, where used cooking oil collected from gutters and sewers was illegally reprocessed and sold. Despite crackdowns and arrests, reports of gutter oil usage continued to surface, highlighting systemic issues in the enforcement of food safety regulations.

China’s food safety problems are multifaceted, involving regulatory, economic, and cultural dimensions. The vast size of the country and the diversity of its food production methods complicate oversight. Many food producers operate on a small scale, making comprehensive regulation and monitoring difficult. Economic pressures also play a role. In a highly competitive market, the drive to reduce costs can lead to cutting corners and compromising safety standards. This was evident in the recent cooking oil scandal, where cost-saving measures led to dangerous practices.

Culturally, there is a lack of trust in the food supply chain. Consumers often resort to traditional markets where the origin of food products is more transparent, but these markets are not immune to safety issues. The prevalence of food scandals has fostered a climate of suspicion, where consumers are constantly wary of potential hazards in their food.

Role of Technology and Modernization

Modern technology offers potential solutions to some of these challenges. Blockchain, for example, can provide a transparent and immutable record of food products from farm to table, helping to ensure authenticity and safety. Some Chinese companies have begun experimenting with blockchain to improve traceability in their supply chains.

The use of big data and AI can also enhance regulatory oversight. By analyzing patterns and anomalies in food production and distribution, authorities can identify potential issues before they become full-blown scandals. These technologies, however, require significant investment and infrastructure, which may be a barrier for smaller producers. Comparing China’s food safety system with those of other countries can offer valuable insights. In the European Union, food safety is governed by strict regulations and enforced by agencies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EU’s emphasis on transparency, consumer rights, and stringent enforcement could serve as a model for China.

The United States also has a robust food safety framework, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) playing a central role. The FDA’s risk-based approach, which focuses resources on the highest-risk areas, could be adapted to the Chinese context to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Addressing China’s food safety problems requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening regulations and enforcement is essential, but it is equally important to foster a culture of compliance and accountability among producers. Public awareness campaigns can educate consumers about food safety and empower them to make informed choices.

Investment in modernizing the food production sector, from farm technology to supply chain logistics, can reduce the risk of contamination and improve overall safety. Encouraging innovation and best practices can help bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern standards. Ultimately, building trust in the food supply chain is crucial. This involves not only strict oversight and enforcement but also transparency and open communication with the public. By demonstrating a commitment to safety and integrity, the government and industry can rebuild consumer confidence and ensure the well-being of the population.

The recent cooking oil scandal in China underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety. Despite significant efforts and reforms, systemic issues persist, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and improvement. By learning from past mistakes, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of accountability, China can make strides towards a safer and more reliable food system.