Industrial Bleach in Chinese Flour, Oil in Rice, Expert Says

A Chinese food expert writes a letter exposing malpractice in the industry

A food processing industry veteran in China’s Hubei Province had a letter published last week exposing what he regards as severe food safety problems in China.

Published in the Wuhan Daily News on March 7, Li Deshou’s letter has since been widely quoted by many Chinese bloggers. He pointed out that food safety issues are terrible and widespread, and that authorities have to take immediate action.

Mr. Li, Chairman of the Grain Association in Guangshui City and Vice Chairman of the Grain Association in Suizhou City, has been in the food processing industry for 17 years and has been directly involved in selling rice.

He stated that almost all of the rice sold in Wuhan from Suizhou has been polished with soybean oil. “Polishing rice with soybean oil has become a common under-the-table practice for some unethical plants.”

Oil added to rice becomes rancid easily and can therefore cause harm to the human body if eaten. Some unethical processing plants even use industrial oil; the potential consequences of this practice can range from damage to the digestive and neural systems to death, according to Mr. Li’s letter.

Mr. Li later told a reporter from Sound of Hope

Industrial bleach is commonly used in flour, too, he said. The corrosive properties of the bleach, if used at a high dose, can damage the digestive system, and harm the liver, kidneys, and circulatory system, Mr. Li wrote.

Pig farms routinely add chemicals, hormones, and drugs that have not been tested to their pig feed too, he wrote. Spoiled vegetable oil and peanut oil are also common additives.

He concluded his letter by saying that after witnessing so many shocking aspects of the food processing industry, he was compelled to step forward and tell the truth. He cited two core objectives: to alert consumers, and to urge the Chinese authorities to establish food processing standards and enforce these standards via public monitoring organizations.

The letter was sent during the sensitive period around the “Two Sessions,” the name given to the congregations of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference--mostly ineffectual government organs meant to approve and recommend policy for the ruling Chinese Communist Party. (SOH) radio that rice that has been polished with soybean oil looks more attractive. “It is easy to spot rice that has been polished with soybean oil as there is often an oily residue left on the packaging. After polishing, rice loses some of its nutrients and vitamins, and may be harmful to the digestive system,” Mr. Li said.