In a move prompted by alarming revelations from a state media report, Chinese authorities are currently looking into the production practices surrounding goji berries, a fruit often tied to traditional Chinese medicine and associated health benefits. The investigative action follows a September 1 report from China's state broadcaster, CCTV, which indicated that excessive amounts of sodium metabisulfite were being used by producers in the Qinghai and Gansu provinces to artificially enhance the bright red color of the berries.

Sodium metabisulfite, a chemical used as a preservative in both food and pharmaceuticals, has raised health concerns due to potential adverse effects. Some merchants have expressed their struggles with the market, explaining that when the berries turn dark, they become unsellable, leading to significant waste of their harvests. One merchant, who avoided using the chemical for health reasons, lamented his losses, highlighting the lack of regulatory enforcement over the past two years which allowed rival merchants to continue the harmful practice.

In Gansu Province, further reports revealed that merchants were washing dried goji berries with sodium metabisulfite to maintain their vibrant hue. Meanwhile, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) indicated that tests on dried goji berries sourced in Singapore have shown satisfactory results, stating that sulfites, including metabisulfites, are generally permitted food additives when used within safe limits. The SFA urged consumers to be vigilant about food labels, particularly those with sulfite allergies, and assured continued monitoring to uphold food safety standards in Singapore.