Is my kimchi safe? China formaldehyde cabbage scandal puts Korea on alert

Live updates

1. 21d ago

   Korea checks Chinese cabbage for formaldehyde after scandal

   South Korea has increased inspections of Chinese cabbage for formaldehyde, a chemical used to preserve freshness. The move comes after China confirmed the use of formaldehyde on napa cabbage in Hebei province. Nearly half of restaurant kimchi in Korea is made from Chinese cabbage, sparking concerns over food safety. All eight shipments of Chinese cabbage tested at Korean customs so far have come back negative for formaldehyde.

   Why it matters

   The scandal has raised concerns in Korea, where kimchi is a staple food and often made with Chinese cabbage. China's use of formaldehyde to preserve cabbage has been confirmed in multiple sources. The Korea Times and other outlets have reported on the potential impact on Korea's kimchi industry and the US market.

   What is confirmed

   • China has confirmed the use of formaldehyde to preserve napa cabbage in Hebei province.
   • Nearly half of restaurant kimchi in Korea is made from Chinese cabbage.
   • All eight shipments of Chinese cabbage tested at Korean customs came back negative for formaldehyde.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Fears grow over formaldehyde-treated cabbage in kimchi

   What to watch next

   • Further inspections of Chinese cabbage shipments in Korea
   • China's investigation into the use of formaldehyde on cabbage
   • US market impact on kimchi sales
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. The Korea Times — Is my kimchi safe? China formaldehyde cabbage scandal puts Korea on alert
   2. BBC — China probes use of formaldehyde to keep cabbages fresh
   3. Food Safety Magazine — China Investigates Illegal Use of Formaldehyde to Preserve Cabbage
   4. 아시아경제 — "Why Were They So Fresh for So Long?"... Shock Over Liquid Soaked on Cabbage
   5. Table.Briefings — Food scandal: Hebei confirms use of formaldehyde on napa cabbage
   6. Taipei Times — FDA assures safety amid Chinese cabbage formaldehyde scare
   7. Bloomberg — Kimchi-Loving South Korea Ups China Cabbage Checks After Scandal
   8. China Daily — Jiangnan market inspections in Guangzhou find no trace of tainted produce
   9. 헤럴드경제 — 'Nearly half of restaurant kimchi is Chinese-made' — fears grow over formaldehyde-treated cabbage
   10. Yahoo — China launches probe after cabbages dipped in "formaldehyde"
   11. The Korea Times — Could China's cabbage scandal hurt kimchi's booming popularity in US?
   12. en.sedaily.com — No Formaldehyde Found in Chinese Cabbage at Customs, Korea Says
   confidence 85%