The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has stepped up surveillance and testing of cabbages after reports that formaldehyde was allegedly used on cabbages in China.
In a statement on 1 September 2026, SFA said it was aware of reports regarding the alleged use of formaldehyde on cabbages in China.
The agency said it was monitoring developments closely and had increased surveillance and testing of cabbages as part of its food safety monitoring programme.
SFA has not said that any cabbage contaminated with formaldehyde has been detected in Singapore.
China Investigates After Viral Video
The concern started after a video by Chinese environmental blogger Qige on Douyin showed workers in Tunken township, Kangbao county, Hebei province, allegedly dipping cabbages in a liquid before loading them for transport.
Workers in the video said the treatment could keep the vegetables fresh for two to three days, and that the cabbage was being sent to Suqian in Jiangsu province.
Hebei authorities confirmed on 22 August that the practices shown in the video had taken place and said formaldehyde had been illegally used to preserve cabbages during transportation.
Formaldehyde is a chemical classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It is not allowed to be added to food as a preservative.
Following the incident, China carried out nationwide inspections of perishable vegetables and investigated the distribution of the affected cabbage.
Other Places Also Increase Checks
The reports have also prompted additional checks in other parts of Asia.
South Korea stepped up inspections of Chinese cabbage imports, while Taiwan checked whether potentially affected produce could have reached the island indirectly.
The Singapore authorities’ move is part of wider food safety monitoring following concerns over the alleged use of formaldehyde on cabbages in China.
