In Xiamen, Fujian Province, a pest control company illegally used the highly toxic pesticide “DDT” for restaurant pest control, which has spread to cinemas, maternity centers, hotels, and other public places. According to reports, some employees of the company can carry out pest control in nearly 10 venues in a day, servicing over 300 restaurants in a single month.
This illegal pest control incident has sparked public concern: how could a third-party pest control company be able to use DDT in restaurants and other public places for a long time, and why was the situation of illegal pesticide use not discovered in a timely manner?
On August 24, the Beijing News reported that after receiving feedback from industry insiders in the catering industry, they conducted an investigation and found that Xiamen Green Forest Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. had been using DDT for a long time, providing pest control services for dozens of chain restaurants such as Green Tea Restaurant, Xianqi Half-step Inn, Fengyuan Home Hong Kong-style Dim Sum, and Fish Savor Sushi.
The investigation found that pest control personnel directly sprayed DDT on tableware, tables, chairs, and in some cases, ingredients were even placed near kitchen utensils. Samples from residues on the floors of some restaurants after pest control tested positive for DDT.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the company was transferring DDT raw liquid from original packaging to other containers and removing product labels.
As the investigation deepened, the service scope of the company involved also came to light.
According to the latest report from the Beijing News, obtained service lists from July to August showed that in addition to catering establishments, the services of the company involved in the incident also extended to cinemas, maternity centers, hotels, and other public places. Some employees were able to complete pest control in nearly 10 venues in a day, servicing over 300 restaurants in a single month.
Professor He Xiongkui from China Agricultural University stated that DDT, due to its long residual period and harmful effects on the human body, should not be used in dining establishments. DDT is particularly harmful to soft tissues and can pose a serious threat to life.
According to employees of the company involved, the use of DDT was related to cost. Compared to some compliant insecticides, DDT’s price is lower, hence it was used in pest control operations.
However, some employees in the catering establishments were not aware that DDT was being used by third-party pest control personnel.
Some pest control work was scheduled in the late night after restaurant staff had left, and third-party personnel would enter for operation. The next day when reopening for business, employees often only saw the pest control record without realizing the actual pest control product used.
Apart from Xiamen, the company involved has branches in Shenzhen, Chongqing, and other places as well.
After the exposure of the incident, netizens criticized the company involved for “repeatedly crossing the moral and legal bottom line.”
Many also suspect the existence of supervision and interest transfer issues behind the incident: “Ordinary people simply can’t access such services.” “To demand that restaurants accept third-party pest control, everyone tacitly knows where these third parties come from, treating the public like fools.”
Some netizens are puzzled by the indifference of the management and staff of related establishments: “The smell of DDT is so distinctive, can’t the responsible persons and staff in these units smell it? Why turn a blind eye and not confront the pest control company?”
Many people feel helpless and sigh, “It’s DDT again, it’s formaldehyde again, the health and life of ordinary people are not taken seriously at all.”