Alleged Use of Fuel Tankers to Transport Cooking Oil, Leading Company Under Scrutiny
Recent reports from Chinese state media and local outlets have brought to light concerning allegations against China Grain Reserves Group Sinograin, accusing the company of using fuel tankers for transporting cooking oil without proper cleaning, raising significant food safety concerns.
According to an initial report by The Beijing News, it has become an "open secret" that Sinograin employed tankers designated for both food products, such as cooking oil, soybean oil, and syrup, and chemical liquids like fuel, without undergoing necessary cleaning procedures between transports. This revelation has sparked an uproar among the public, particularly on social media, where fears of potential food contamination are rampant.
In response to the backlash, Sinograin issued a statement on its official Weibo account, asserting that it had launched a large-scale inspection of its transportation practices. The company emphasized its commitment to stringent checks to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and that all transportation tools meet the required standards.
Further amplifying the issue, state broadcaster CCTV criticized the practice as a cost-cutting measure that compromises consumer safety, describing it as "tantamount to poisoning." The broadcaster highlighted the potential risks in the supply chain of even well-known brands, where such practices of mixing substances could occur unnoticed by consumers.
Sinograin has pledged to take decisive action against any violations of food safety protocols. It stated that transportation units and carrier vehicles found non-compliant would be terminated immediately and reported to the relevant regulatory authorities. The company also mentioned that direct punishments would be meted out to employees and departments under its jurisdiction found guilty of breaching operating procedures.
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According to the Beijing News report, China has no mandatory national standards for the transport of edible oils and there is only a recommendation, which stipulated that dedicated vehicles should be used for the transport of bulk edible vegetable oils. Since it is a "recommendation," it has limited constraining force on companies.
Experts, like Professor Wang Xingguo from the School of Food Science and Technology at Jiangnan University, suggest that companies should regard the recommendation as a minimum standard and strive to establish stricter internal guidelines.
China Grain Reserves Corporation, or Sinograin, is a state-owned enterprise, tasked with managing and operating China's central grain and edible oil reserves. Founded in 2000 and with a registered capital of 47 billion yuan, Sinograin operates under state macro-regulation, independently managing its profits and losses. It has extensive operations across China with 23 subsidiaries.
Source: Global Times, Reuters, China Daily
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