Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 09, 2024, and was updated on August 30, 2024 and November 11, 2024 as per the latest developments. 

Update on November 11, 2024

On October 28, 2024, the GB 44917-2024 Hygienic Requirements for the Bulk Transportation of Edible Vegetable Oils was officially promulgated. The regulation will come into force on February 1, 2025. 

Update on August 30, 2024

After a joint investigation conducted by the Food Safety Commission of the State Council and several other departments, the findings were released on August 25, 2024. The report revealed that the tanker with license plate Ji E5476W, which transported edible vegetable oil from Sinograin Oils & Fats (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., carried 35.91 tons of oil. Of this, 11 tons were used for feed processing, while the remaining 24.91 tons, which had not been sold, were fully sealed. Another tanker with the same license plate Ji E5476W, transporting edible vegetable oil from Hope Full Grain & Oil Group, carried 31.86 tons of oil. Of this, 2.48 tons were sealed, while the remaining 29.38 tons were repackaged and sold. Of the repackaged and sold oil, 7.78 tons that had been sold but not yet used were successfully traced and sealed. The remaining 21.6 tons, which had been used, were traced to Ordos, Inner Mongolia, with no evidence of distribution to other regions.

The joint investigation team determined that the vehicle owners and drivers were primarily and directly responsible and will be held criminally liable under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Law. Additionally, the transport, purchasing, and production companies involved will face administrative penalties in accordance with the Food Safety Law and Road Transport Regulations.

On August 27, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice seeking public comments on the proposed mandatory national standard Hygienic Requirements for Bulk Transportation of Labeling Oils.

Original news published on July 09, 2024

BJNews recently conducted an investigation into the irregularities in tanker truck transport, uncovering a disturbing issue of mixed use of tanker trucks for edible oils and chemical oils. Some tanker trucks, which transport consumable liquids like syrup and soybean oil, are also used to carry chemical substances such as coal-based oil. To cut costs, some trucks don't even clean their tanks between different transport, leading to contamination of edible oils with residual chemicals. This incident has ignited public outrage.

The investigation implicated Hope Full Grain & Oil Group and Sinograin Oils & Fats (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Reports indicate that tanker trucks, after unloading coal-based oil, loaded soybean oil at the production facilities of these two enterprises without cleaning tanks. Following the incident, Sinograin announced a comprehensive inspection of grain and oil transport tools, stating that any violations will be dealt with seriously. Hope Full stated that the implicated tanker trucks were not owned by them and that bulk oil sold by the enterprise is picked up by customers themselves.

The two enterprises are midstream in the edible oils industry, involved in production and processing. Recipients of these implicated oils have not yet been disclosed. Open information reveals that many of their downstream clients are in the catering supply chain business. 

Local market regulation authorities have launched investigations. According to Article 33, Paragraph 1, Item 6 of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, containers, tools, and equipment used for storing, transporting, loading, and unloading food must be safe, harmless, clean, and prevent food contamination. They must also meet the specific requirements for temperature, humidity, and other conditions necessary to ensure food safety. Food must not be stored or transported with toxic or harmful substances. In addition, the Regulations on Bulk Transport of Edible Vegetable Oil stipulates that dedicated containers must be used for transporting edible vegetable oil, and non-edible oil tankers and containers are prohibited.

ChemLinked will provide updates once the official investigation results are released.

Disclaimer: All images used in the article are from the Internet.