Carcinogen-tainted oil cover up highlights China food safety flaws

Local health officials in the province of Hunan last week admitted covering up the fact that camellia oil manufactured by Hunan Jinhao Camellia Oil Co Ltd was tainted with high levels of benzoapyrene. The chemical, usually found in coal tar and cigarette smoke, is highly carcinogenic and has been shown to accumulate within the human body, causing long-term health problems.

High levels​

State officials said they conducted a secret recall of the product after discovering levels of benzoapyrene in the oil in March this year. Chinese media reported that the contamination occurred during the processing of the oil but that the issue had now been resolved after the company updated its equipment. The firm was said to have twice recalled the product without explanation, with one magazine saying benzoapyrene levels in the oil were 60 µg/kg – five times the permitted amount. However, Jinhao has so far refused to release details of the tests on the tainted oil.

Almost a quarter of the product remains unaccounted for after safety official revealed they had seized 22 tons and issued a recall on a further 11 tons. No information about the remaining nine tons has been given.

The company, a leading producer of the oil, finally issued a letter of apology on its website in the middle of last week after initially denying there was a problem.

"Nine batches of camellia oil produced from December last year to this March have been found to contain excessive benzoapyrene,” said​ the Hunan Jinhao Camellia Oil statement.

It added that it "didn't inform the public about the substandard products in time and didn't inform people thoroughly about the recall process."​

Denials​

The issue was brought to light last month after postings on internet chat rooms and blogs. Jinhao dismissed the allegations as malicious rumours spread by its competitors. This was closely followed by an announcement from the Hunan quality supervision bureau in a local newspaper that tests had showed no problems. However, public pressure became so great that the company and local officials had to reveal the truth.

Sang Liwei, a Chinese food safety lawyer and the Beijing chief representative of the nonprofit Global Food Safety Forum, said regional officials are often reluctant to release harmful information about local companies over fears of damaging the economy, said China Daily.

Camellia oil has become increasingly popular in many regions of China with Hunan producing almost 50 per cent of domestic demand. Jinhao has six camellia facilities with a reported annual revenue of 1.1bn Yuan (€125m).