Fake Salt Being Sold in Anhui Province, China

Police in China's Anhui Province have warned that products made with fake edible salt extracted from agricultural chemicals may have made it onto the market.

According to state-run China Daily, police in Anhui arrested three people in connection with the case. The three are suspected of manufacturing and selling 10-thousand tons of the salt. They set up business in 2009, purchasing waste residues from the factory of Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Engineering Company. The factory was under the impression that they were using the residues to produce industrial salt.

So far, no cases of illness have been reported in Anhui in connection with the salt. But Chinese citizens, disturbed by a string of food scandals over the last few years, see this latest case as a major problem.

[Mr. Long, Resident]:
"The slide in morality, the loss of sincerity in our society has already reached a very serious extent. I feel that it's a problem with the system that these illegal companies can be so bold and succeed for a period of time. Why can’t our watchdog organizations and officials carry out their responsibilities? I fear this is a major problem."

The three suspects reportedly bought the waste chemicals for just 75 US cents per pound and sold it after processing it for about 30 US dollars per pound.

The suspects are currently being held and will face a hearing at a court in Fuyang City, Anhui Province.