Seoul Tightens Cabbage Checks After China Formaldehyde Scandal

South Korea has stepped up border checks on Chinese cabbage after sellers were caught using formaldehyde to preserve the vegetables, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Monday. The ministry said it was investigating whether tainted produce had already entered the country and that additional measures would follow if needed.

The scandal broke when videos circulated online showing workers in Kangbao county, in northern China's Hebei province, dipping cabbage roots into liquid before loading them onto trucks. Local authorities confirmed formaldehyde had been used during purchasing and transport, according to Chinese and Korean media reports. China's State Administration for Market Regulation said it had launched spot checks and that any violations would be severely punished with zero tolerance.

Cabbage is the key ingredient in kimchi, a fermented dish central to Korean cuisine. South Korea is heading into kimjang, the traditional kimchi-making season that runs from late autumn through year end. While Korea grows most of its own cabbage, imports from China have become a crucial supply channel for restaurants and food-service businesses seeking lower-cost produce.