In response to the unsanitary pickled napa cabbage issue, China states "This is not kimchi for export"

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] Amid revelations of unsanitary manufacturing processes for Chinese pickled napa cabbage, Chinese customs authorities have reportedly stated that the product is not kimchi intended for export.

A representative from the Korean Embassy in China disclosed on the 11th that they received this response after inquiring with the Chinese customs authority, the General Administration of Customs.

The official added, "Napa cabbage for kimchi must be pickled within 24 hours under refrigerated conditions," and explained, "According to Korean kimchi company representatives operating in China, the video clearly shows that this is not a kimchi production process."

Earlier, a video circulated online in South Korea showing napa cabbage being pickled outdoors in a pit lined with plastic on the floor and walls, with salt sprinkled over it. The controversy intensified with scenes of a backhoe transporting the cabbage and a shirtless man working inside the pickling pit.

Meanwhile, a video titled "Suancai Manufacturing Site" posted online in China shows scenes similar to those causing controversy domestically. Recently, criticism over unsanitary conditions in the suancai manufacturing process has led to crackdowns in China.

The government of Fuxin City, Liaoning Province, announced in 2019 that this method of suancai production violates Chinese Food Safety Law and Environmental Protection Law and is strictly prohibited.

Last September, Liaoning Daily reported, "In April 2019, the Liaoning Provincial Market Supervision Administration began crackdowns on these suancai manufacturing processes," adding, "Since then, all of the approximately 16,000 suancai manufacturing pits in Liaoning Province have been filled in."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.