CHINA

Multiple Individuals, Companies Punished Over Tainted Vegetable Oil Scandal

Published: Aug. 26, 2024 7:05 p.m. GMT+8

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The July news report from the Beijing News said the practice of using tankers to transport both edible and chemical oil is an “open secret” in the trucking industry, citing a truck driver. Photo: Screenshot from New Beijing News

Chinese authorities have punished 10 individuals and seven companies involved in transporting edible vegetable oil in tankers that had previously hauled chemical oils without proper cleaning.

The punishments came nearly two months after a Beijing News exposé of the scandal triggered national outcry and an official investigation by the State Council’s Food Safety Office and a handful of other central government agencies.

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Chinese authorities sanctioned 10 individuals and seven companies for transporting edible oil in improperly cleaned chemical tankers.
Of the nearly 68 tons of contaminated oil, 21.6 tons were sold, 11 tons made into animal feed, and the remainder was seized.
The seven companies fined between 260,000 yuan to 2.86 million yuan and the transport licenses for the two Hebei companies were revoked.

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Who’s Who

Tianjin Branch of China Grain Reserves: The Tianjin branch of state-owned China Grain Reserves was fined heavily, receiving one of the highest penalties in the investigation, ranging from 260,000 yuan ($36,500) to 2.86 million yuan. The company was involved in transporting edible vegetable oil in tankers previously used for chemical oils without proper cleaning, violating food safety regulations.

Hopefull Grain & Oil Group: Hopefull Grain & Oil Group is a private conglomerate mentioned in the article, whose subsidiary received one of the highest fines of 2.86 million yuan for its involvement in the scandal of transporting edible vegetable oil in improperly cleaned tankers that had previously carried chemical oils.

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What Happened When

May 2024：: Two trucks registered in Xingtai, Hebei province, violated food safety regulations by transporting edible oil.

July 2024：: Beijing News published an exposé revealing the scandal of using tankers to transport both edible and chemical oil.

By August 25, 2024：: An official report by Xinhua News Agency revealed the findings of the investigation into the edible oil transportation scandal.

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