A terrible story about cabbage

It's been a while since we heard about a major Chinese food safety scandal, but here we go:

Chinese authorities confirmed earlier this week that several Napa cabbages from China's largest cabbage-producing region had tested positive for traces of the cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde.

The colourless toxin is often used in embalming to slow down decomposition and has now been found in cabbages, reportedly to keep the veggies fresh during transport in warm summer and autumn months.

The use of formaldehyde to keep food fresh is strictly prohibited in China, and officials have launched nationwide market checks for more potentially contaminated vegetables.

The brazenness is off the charts:

The allegations of unsafe practices were first raised by a Chinese environmentalist vlogger, Yu Lie Qi Ge, who was documenting the harvesting process in China's largest cabbage-producing region, Hebei. 

While filming, he saw cabbages being dipped into a clear liquid before they were loaded onto trucks heading to markets in the country's south.

The videos showed bottles labelled with "formaldehyde solution" could be seen on, or near the trucks.

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and prohibited from use in food services in China.

Yu Lie Qi Ge said he traced the transportation of the cabbages to several markets in China's south, where local authorities then tested the cabbages and found they were laced with formaldehyde.

It affects more than China:

And because China is the world's largest supplier of cabbages, the scandal has rocked other parts of Asia.

One major importer, South Korea, announced it would be tightening its cabbage inspections and stepping up checks of the vegetable from China, although so far none were found to be tainted.

Taiwan's government addressed public alarm by confirming its Chinese cabbages were banned from being imported there.

Another major importer, Vietnam, is yet to issue a formal reaction, although local media has reported on the scandal.

Makes me hesitate about even buying those garlic shoots that are sold here but always seem to be imported from China...