Recently, Chinese media exposed a shocking incident where farmers in 14 towns across the country were spraying goji berries with industrial sulfur to make the fruit look redder and more attractive. This practice poses a serious threat to public health and highlights food safety issues in agricultural production.

Industrial sulfur contains large amounts of sulfur dioxide. Consuming goji berries with sulfur dioxide over a long period can lead to chronic poisoning, damaging organs such as the liver and kidneys, and in severe cases, it can even cause cancer. However, in pursuit of profit, some farmers have taken risks by using industrial sulfur as a color enhancer, turning originally reddish-brown goji berries into bright red ones to deceive consumers.

This incident has garnered widespread attention and has sounded an alarm for food safety. Relevant national departments should strengthen supervision of agricultural production and severely punish the use of prohibited substances like industrial sulfur. Consumers should also be vigilant and not be misled by the “bright red” goji berries. When purchasing, choose reputable sources and check product packaging for relevant information.

Furthermore, it is crucial to enhance education and awareness among farmers about the dangers of using industrial sulfur and to guide them towards scientific planting methods to produce safe and healthy agricultural products. Only by addressing these issues at the source can we prevent such incidents and ensure food safety for the public.