One tenth of cooking oil in China is drainage oil: a.k.a. cancer causing stuff not fit for consumption
Looks like, just on the heels of the melamine taint, the next food scare could be in cooking oil: it seems that the State Food and Drug Administration is now stepping up inspections of all food service providers because one-tenth of Chinese cooking oil could be illegally made and cause cancer. The culprit is recycled kitchen or restaurant waste oil, which contains a highly toxic, carcinogenic substance called “aflatoxin” and at least some chefs have been so disgusted by the practice they’ve put their rants online (translated here if you want to be grossed out). Most of this oil is being sold in less-developed areas, so if you’re on a trip out of Shanghai… beware.
