Through unannounced inspections of the city’s markets, Shenzhen municipal health inspectors have discovered a full third of tested fresh noodles do not conform to health standards, the Nandu reported.

Of the 99 sellers of wet noodles and Hoh Fun (flat white noodles) inspected, 34 sellers broke regulation, mostly by adding food additives.

Six were found to have food additives including borax (four cases), formaldehyde (two cases); preservatives including benzoic acid (22 cases), dehydrogenated acid, and sorbic acid; food coloring was also found that included lemon yellow (9 cases), and sunset yellow. Three cases were found to have both additives of benzoic acid and lemon yellow.

The inspection covered 21 farmer’s markets located in Luohu, Futian, Nanshan, Bao’an, Longgang, Longhua New District, and Guangming New District, and was carried out from end of March to beginning of April of this year.

As well, the inspection was extended to city center supermarkets and restaurants. Focusing upon prepackaged noodles, the city health inspector found that out of a sample of 172 different sellers of noodles, 49 were found to contain illegal food additives such as benzoic acid.

The findings of the Shenzhen health inspectors have been transferred over to the local Public Security Bureau for policing.

Photo: 21cn