Fake pig ears, another food scandal in New China

Police China is investigating upon the discovery of a batch of "fake" pigs' ears reportedly made from gelatin- another food safety problem rocking the country.

The bogus ears were found in a market in Ganzhou City in the eastern province of Jiangxi after a complaint from a customer was received by authorities. The strange smell when cooking the meat was the major complaint, the state-run China Daily newspaper reveals.

Food safety officials found out that the "ears" which are light-brown with a plastic-like texture, were made of gelatin and sodium oleate, a chemical used in making soap.

China's government pledged for food safety and quality in consideration of the thickening population, yet scandals still occur due to weak enforcement and dishonest business practices.

"The real one has hair and small blood vessels", China Daily quoted from a professional on how to identify the real pig ears.

On the other hand, the Jiangxi provincial health department is not yet giving a statement.

Investigation on the fake ears came as authorities launched a probe into vegetable sellers in the eastern province of Shandong in using formaldehyde – a harmful chemical to keep cabbages fresh. -GIAN — ARA