Eight detained in Chongqing bacon scam

Police in Chongqing have detained eight people for processing bacon illegally to sell for profit, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Officers also found four sites hidden in a market in the municipality's Shapingba district where the eight were processing pork.

Police raided the sites on Jan 28 and seized pork estimated to be worth 500,000 yuan ($80,200) and more than 10 tons of bacon.

Investigations showed the sites were usually closed in the day and only started business at about 6:00 pm every night. The sites were operating without a license from the local industry and commerce bureau and without a health certificate.

One suspect admitted they added Sudan Red, a blacklisted additive harmful to human health, to give the bacon a better appearance, police said.

Related stories:

KFC supplier used excessive additives in chicken feed

Shanghai barrs additives in restaurants' home-made beverages

China bans catering business from using nitrite as additive

Ministry to withdraw 38 food additives

China cracking down on illegal food additives