In an incident that recalls the recent tainted milk powder scandal in China, nearly 30 wineries have been shut down, bottles pulled from retail shelves and six individuals have been detained after authorities discovered wine containing several chemical additives, including sugar water, colouring agents and artificial flavourings. A leading industry expert, Huang Weidong, has been quoted by China’s Global Times newspaper as saying the additives could cause cardiac irregularities and headaches, and were possibly carcinogenic. Concerns have also been raised over the false use of famous brand names. The wine in question comes from Changli county in the central province of Hebei. These moves suggest that the Chinese authorities are taking a positive step towards tackling the use of illegal additives and fake brands within the Chinese wine industry, steps that should be welcomed by all engaged with the expanding wine trade within and to China.
