China probes 'fake food seasoning producing hub' near Tianjin

Chinese authorities are investigating nearly 50 factories allegedly manufacturing fake versions of widely used food seasonings and sauces.

The factories were using unapproved ingredients like industrial salt in seasonings including soy sauce and vinegar.

Reports say the products were labelled with brands including Maggi, Knorr, and Nestle.

The seasonings, which include spices and chicken stock, are commonly used in Chinese cooking and can be widely found across Asia.

China has been rocked by various food scandals in recent years, with tainted milk powder killing six babies in 2008 and making more than 300 thousand children ill.
 
The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) said in a statement on Monday evening that it had dispatched officers to Tianjin to investigate the claims.

The Beijing News report said a "fake food seasoning manufacturing hub" had grown unchecked for more than 10 years in the town of Duliu near Tianjin

SOURCE: BBC NEWS