A high-profile food safety scandal has hit Charoen Pokphand (CP) Food, one of the most prominent foreign-invested agribusinesses in China. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) recently issued a bulletin identifying a batch of CP's "Sumi Crispy Pork" that tested positive for sodium dehydroacetate. This preservative, while common in the past, was strictly banned for use in pre-prepared meat products under China’s updated food safety standards that took effect in February 2025.
The detection of the substance in products labeled for production in June 2025 suggests a significant lapse in regulatory compliance and internal quality control. Sodium dehydroacetate is a broad-spectrum preservative used to inhibit mold growth and extend shelf life. However, Chinese health authorities recently prohibited its use in several categories, including bread and pre-prepared meats, citing potential long-term risks to liver and kidney function, as well as the nervous system.
While CP Group’s official flagship stores have moved to delist the affected product, a fragmented response has seen the crispy pork remain available through various third-party vendors. The company’s public statement, which merely claimed that the matter is "under investigation," has done little to soothe consumer anxieties. This lack of transparency is particularly sensitive given the explosive growth of China’s pre-prepared food sector, which is currently undergoing a period of intense public and regulatory scrutiny regarding additives.
This incident is not an isolated blemish on CP Food’s record in the Chinese market. The company has faced previous penalties for excessive pesticide residues in vegetables and has seen its exported products questioned abroad for unauthorized food colorings. As China tightens its "General Standard for the Use of Food Additives" (GB 2760—2024), major industry players are finding that the era of lax oversight and "extended shelf life" at any cost is rapidly coming to an end.