Chinese Reporter Threatened After Exposing Illegal Additives in Yangmei

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. Chinese media recently exposed that Yangmei (waxberry) produced in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, was being illegally soaked in preservatives and sweeteners by unscrupulous merchants to extend shelf life and enhance sweetness. This has not only sparked public outrage but also led to severe stagnation and a price collapse for local produce. The reporter who uncovered this serious food safety issue is now facing death threats from suspected merchants. According to reports, a reporter from Fujian Television's 'First Help Group' program investigated Longhai District and found that large quantities of fresh Yangmei were being soaked in sodium dehydroacetate and an illegal sweetener 8,000 times sweeter than sucrose. Merchants admitted the practice was illegal and harmful, but claimed it was necessary because early-season Yangmei is sour and perishable. While authorities have seized 765kg of tainted fruit and detained five individuals, the local market remains in crisis.