China's Cooking Oil Scandal: Toxic Tankers Raise Food Safety Alarm

The Chinese government has launched an investigation into allegations that fuel tankers have been used to transport cooking oil without being properly cleaned between loads. The controversy has spread online as social media users express concerns about potential food contamination.

State-run Beijing News reported that tankers used for transporting fuel were found to be carrying food products, like cooking oil and syrup, and were not decontaminated correctly.

One driver quoted by the newspaper said that transporting cooking oil in contaminated fuel trucks was so widespread it was considered an "open secret" in the industry.

• The case is the latest blow to public trust in the Chinese government's ability to enforce food safety standards.
• The controversy has been the top trending topic on Chinese social media in recent days.
• On Weibo - the country’s equivalent to X, formerly known as Twitter - there have been tens of thousands of posts about the scandal, which have racked up millions of views.

Company	Allegations
Sinograin	Investigating whether food safety regulations were being followed correctly.
Hopefull Grain and Oil Group	Conducting a "thorough self-inspection".

Many compared it to the 2008 Sanlu milk scandal, in which some 300,000 children became sick and at least six died after drinking powdered milk contaminated with high levels of the industrial chemical melamine.

"This is much worse than the Sanlu scandal, it can’t be settled with just [a] statement,” a user commented.

In China, tankers are not limited to any particular type of goods so can, in theory, carry food products straight after transporting coal-based oils.

The Chinese government has said food safety officials will carry out the investigation into the allegations. They have promised to punish any companies and individuals involved in wrongdoing. They have also vowed to immediately publish the findings of their investigation.

"Illegal enterprises and relevant responsible persons will be severely punished in accordance with the law and will not be tolerated," state broadcaster CCTV said.

At the local level, both the Hebei and Tianjin provincial governments have said they are also looking into the matter.