China’s food safety issues continue to surface. Recently, a netizen from Hainan posted a video claiming that when some dried shredded meat crumbs, that the child had eaten, fell on the ground, a group of ants ate them and died collectively shortly afterward. The video sparked attention online, with some netizens suggesting it as a “new ant killer.”
According to the Hainan netizen “@YuSijiaHandmadeTea” on social media, on May 17th, while taking a stroll in the neighborhood with her child, the child accidentally dropped the meat crumbs on the ground, attracting a large number of ants to come and eat them. When she went to clean up, she was surprised to find that all these ants had died in just 2-3 minutes.
The netizen also flipped over the package of dried meat and found that the ingredient list on the packaging displayed the presence of ethyl maltol (flavoring agent) and sodium nitrite (preservative). The manufacturer was identified as Sichuan Meishan Tiantian Fishery Food Co., Ltd. Public records show that Sichuan Meishan Tiantian Fishery Food Co., Ltd. is a joint-stock enterprise engaged in deep processing and sales of freshwater fish, and it is a key leading enterprise in agricultural industrialization in Sichuan Province.
In response, DaXiang News analysis suggested that ethyl maltol emits a sweet fragrance that attracts ants, while sodium nitrite causes ant suffocation by inhibiting cellular oxygen carrying capacity, the combined action is similar to the principle of commercial insecticide bait. Food additive safety standards are based on human metabolism, and the reason for the ant deaths is due to their small size (weighing about 5 milligrams), rapid metabolic rate, thus the safe dosage for humans can be lethal for ants.
The Yangcheng Evening News reported that sodium nitrite is a preservative commonly used in meat products to inhibit the growth of botulinum bacteria, extend shelf life, and maintain the red color of meat, generally safe, but under specific conditions, it may transform into the carcinogen nitrosamine, excessive intake can lead to poisoning, and even fatal consequences.
Netizens expressed concerns, questioning, “If ants die after consuming sodium nitrite-containing crumbs, can we still give these snacks to children?” “With the recent popular news about poisoned waxberries, ants might have gone extinct after consuming three generations. Tags 8000.” Some remarked, “We are living in an era of mutual poisoning,” “Without the need for external aggression, we are capable of self-destruction, what else can be safely consumed? And nobody is regulating, just born not long ago and already facing deadly diseases, every year on March 15!”
Some netizens made jokes, suggesting, “Found the new ant killer!” “I have many ants at home, which brand can I buy to kill them?” One netizen replied, “Basically, any small snacks on the market will do.”
Others shared their experiences, one stating, “Last night, I had hotpot with boxed beef and lamb, the meat was rejected by my dog, definitely too many additives.”