China Rocked by Cooking Oil Contamination Scandal

The Chinese government says it will investigate allegations that fuel tankers have been used to transport cooking oil after carrying toxic chemicals without being cleaned properly between loads.

In reports by the BBC, the controversy has spread online as social media users express concerns about potential food contamination.

According to state-run Beijing News, tankers used for transporting fuel were found to be carrying food products, like cooking oil and syrup, and were not decontaminated correctly.

One driver who is quoted in the newspaper said transporting cooking oil in contaminated fuel trucks was said to have been so widespread it was considered an “open secret” in the industry.

The case is the latest blow to public trust in the Chinese government’s ability to enforce food safety standards.

The controversy has been the top trending topic on Chinese social media in recent days.