On May 20, 2026, Hong Kong media outlet Hong Kong01 reported that "poisonous bayberries" manufactured using illegal additives with a sweetness 8,000 times that of sugar were produced in a bayberry producing area in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, and authorities detained five people.

【その他の写真】

According to the article, an undercover investigation by Chinese media exposed the actual situation where prohibited preservatives (sodium dehydroacetate) and unknown compound sweeteners 8,000 times sweeter than sugar were being misused in the city's bayberry producing areas. On-site workers revealed to the undercover reporter that they were "soaking the bayberries in medicine" and stated, "We are too scared to eat them ourselves."

Locally, at just one base, over 500 kilograms of problematic bayberries were sold daily, and over 2,500 kilograms during peak season. Investigations by Zhangzhou City authorities revealed the involvement of five bases, leading to the confiscation and disposal of a total of 540 kilograms of bayberries and illegal additives, and the criminal detention of five people involved in the illegal activities.

While many wholesalers stated that they "are aware that these additives are illegal and that long-term consumption harms health," they also explained that early-ripening bayberry varieties are inherently tart and have poor shelf life, and since surrounding businesses uniformly engage in illegal additive practices, they "would find it difficult to sell if they alone didn't add the additives."

The Zhangzhou City Food Safety Committee Office emphasized that bayberries are a superior agricultural product with local characteristics and an important livelihood industry, and announced that it would launch a 45-day special crackdown operation starting May 15 to strengthen supervision. (Edited and translated by Kawajiri)