Singapore Food Agency Ramps Up Cabbage Testing After Formaldehyde Scandal

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced on September 1 that it has stepped up surveillance and testing of cabbages following reports that formaldehyde was illegally used to preserve vegetables during transport in China. Formaldehyde, classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, was used by workers in Hebei province’s Kangbao county to extend shelf life for two to three days. The move reflects growing regional concern over the food safety scandal.

How the scandal emerged

A Chinese environmental blogger known as Qige posted a video on Douyin on August 22 showing workers in Tunken township, Kangbao county, dipping cabbages into an alleged formaldehyde solution before loading them onto trucks. When asked how long the treatment would preserve the vegetables, one worker replied “two to three days.” Local authorities confirmed the same day that preliminary investigations showed the practices in the video had occurred, according to China Daily.

Singapore’s response and regional action

The SFA said it is closely monitoring developments and has increased surveillance and testing of cabbages as part of its food safety monitoring programme. South Korea similarly stepped up inspections of Chinese cabbage imports and found no formaldehyde in tested samples on August 26 and 27. Taiwan has also launched checks to determine whether potentially tainted produce could have reached the island indirectly.

China’s nationwide crackdown

China launched nationwide inspections of perishable vegetables after the scandal went viral online. The State Council’s food safety office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation ordered local authorities to investigate. Chinese law enforcement took measures against those involved, and authorities confirmed that the cabbages shown in the video were bound for Suqian city in Jiangsu province, not for export.

What formaldehyde is and why it matters

Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical used in manufacturing plastics and resins, and is employed by morgues to preserve dead bodies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as carcinogenic to humans. Consuming formaldehyde-treated produce poses health risks, which is why regulators across Asia have prioritized testing and inspection.

Final Thoughts

Singapore’s heightened cabbage testing reflects the region’s coordinated response to a serious food safety breach. With South Korea finding no contamination in imports and China launching nationwide inspections, the immediate risk to Singapore consumers appears contained, but vigilance remains essential.

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