SINGAPORE: Authorities in China have launched an investigation into the production of goji berries following a state news report which revealed harmful chemicals being used by merchants to retain the crop’s bright red colour, the second food safety scandal to hit the country in recent months.  

On Sep 1, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released a report that revealed excessive usage of sodium metabisulfite in goji berry production in China’s northern Qinghai and Gansu provinces.