China’s Illegal Vegetable Treatments Threaten Japan’s Food Supply, October 7

Chinese vegetable producers are using illegal chemicals to disguise spoiled produce before export to Japan. Bamboo shoots treated with sulfur fumigation contained 24 times the legal limit of sulfur dioxide, while stem lettuce was dyed with banned colorants to hide damage. Japan imports roughly 90% of its bamboo shoots from China, raising urgent questions about food safety oversight.

Bamboo shoots treated with illegal sulfur fumigation

A Chinese facility in Qingyuan illegally fumigated bamboo shoots with sulfur to preserve freshness during long-distance transport. Testing revealed sulfur dioxide levels 24 times above safety limits. Online influencer Yulie Qi exposed the practice on video, prompting Chinese authorities to detain three people. Japan imports the vast majority of its menma (bamboo shoot product) from China, with 90% of domestic consumption sourced from imports, according to Japan’s NHK television.

Stem lettuce dyed with banned food colorants

A vegetable warehouse in Gansu province sprayed stem lettuce with illegal green dye containing tartrazine and brilliant blue, chemicals approved only for confectionery and beverages under Chinese law. Chinese authorities inspected 53 produce buyers and found six using the dye illegally. Approximately 11.8 tons of contaminated stem lettuce were destroyed. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare confirmed this particular stem lettuce has not been imported into Japan.

Formaldehyde used to preserve Chinese vegetables

The same influencer, Yulie Qi, previously documented illegal formaldehyde treatment of vegetables during long-distance trucking. Formaldehyde is used to preserve corpses and specimens but is banned for fresh produce. Chinese authorities arrested three people after the video went public. Experts say Chinese regulators increasingly rely on social media influencers to expose violations because official enforcement remains inconsistent.

Japanese importers respond to safety concerns

One Japanese company importing Chinese bamboo shoots issued a statement in late September stating it conducts inspections based on Japanese food safety laws and its own quality standards. The company confirmed it found no violations in its supply chain. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has not issued a formal statement on the sulfur fumigation case. The reliance on Chinese authorities and media exposure rather than systematic regulation leaves Japan’s food safety vulnerable.

Final Thoughts

Japan depends on Chinese imports for 90% of its bamboo shoots, yet enforcement relies on viral videos rather than consistent oversight. With multiple illegal chemical treatments now exposed, Japanese importers and regulators face pressure to strengthen import controls.

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