Use of Recycled Cooking Oil Worries China

Chinese food regulators are investigating the source and availability of recycled cooking oil following reports indicating its widespread use.

The regulators are also investigating whether restaurants throughout China are creating food hazards by cooking food with recycled oil, according to nytimes.com.

According to state media reports, regulators found “unsafe artificial green peas” in Hunan Province and nearly 20,000lb of “toxic vegetables” in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Health bureaus have released the names of some restaurants and food establishments found to be using the oil.

In March, the State Food and Drug Administration asked health bureaus to investigate the sources of the cooking oil.

Last November, regulators in southern China raided several workshops for turning discarded waste – possibly even sewage – into cooking oil.