Hanyang Department for Industry and Commerce in Wuhan has issued a reminder to consumers, warning them that some fresh-looking meat might contain methanol.
Last week, HDIC received a report that a meat seller in Hanyang Taohuadao Vegetable Market had put some unclear liquid into meat stuffing made of bad meat to make it look fresh. Following this, HDIC sent staff to the market where they found a bottle of edible red pigment from the seller under question. In additions, they also found a bottle containing some brown liquid which was later proved to be formaldehyde and methanol, both of which can cause cancer or malformation. It was learned that the seller used both the red pigment and the brown liquid to make bad meat look fresh.
HDIC said it would conduct further investigations on the case. In the meantime, it reminded consumers to smell meat and put it into water to check whether there is any color change before buying.
