Horror fake eggs made of plastic and plaster

Jellyfish, eggs, baby formula, and wine are among the items that are sophisticatedly counterfeited in China and can easily fool many consumers.

Fake jellyfish

Fake jellyfish (left) and real jellyfish. Photo: People.cn.

Police in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, raided two fake jellyfish production facilities, with an estimated 10 tons sold to local food markets, according to the BBC. The fake jellyfish is made from three chemicals: alginic acid, ammonium alum, and anhydrous calcium chloride. Notably, the aluminum content in fake jellyfish is up to 800 mg/kg, which can affect bones and the nervous system, and is harmful to pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Baby milk powder

Melamine-tainted baby formula was the biggest food scandal in China in 2008. Illustration photo: Tips 4 Health.

According to Discovery News, the biggest and most far-reaching food scandal in China in 2008 was the allegation that Chinese baby formula was mixed with melamine to pass nutritional quality inspections. High levels of melamine can cause kidney stones and kidney failure. The country's health ministry admitted that nearly 300,000 children fell ill from melamine-tainted formula, more than 54,000 infants were hospitalized, and there were 6 deaths. Information about contaminated formula caused dozens of countries to ban imports or closely monitor Chinese food.

Egg

Fake eggs are made from plastic, glue and plaster powder. Photo: Ministryofofu.

Fake eggs originating from China are made of plastic, glue, sodium alginate, gypsum powder and calcium carbonate, according to Time. Fake eggs began circulating in China in the 1990s. These eggs attract buyers because they are cheap, costing only half the cost of real eggs, and an individual can produce 1,500 fake eggs per day.

Walnut

Walnuts made from concrete mixed with paper. Photo: Sina.

Last year, a trader in Zhengzhou, Henan, China, used a sophisticated method to counterfeit walnuts, according to Business Insider. He collected walnut shells, pumped concrete mixed with paper inside, and then glued the two shells together. As a result, he doubled his sales by selling both shelled and unshelled walnuts.

Meat

Expired frozen chicken is still being smuggled into the market by Chinese traders. Illustration photo: Discovery News.

In 2013, Chinese police arrested 904 people for passing off fox, mink, and rat meat as lamb. Authorities seized a total of 20,000 tons of illegal meat, which was also disease-ridden or contaminated. Last year, police seized another 100,000 tons of expired frozen chicken, beef, and pork, some of which was more than 40 years old.

Alcohol

Counterfeit alcohol is often produced illegally in China. Illustration photo: Discovery News.

An estimated 30% of alcohol in China is fake, according to the Guardian. Counterfeit alcohol is often produced illegally and in poor hygiene. Production facilities put fake alcohol in bottles of high-end brands and sell it on the market. Fake alcohol not only contains alcohol but also many chemicals and toxic ingredients, leading to serious health consequences for drinkers such as stomach pain, blindness and death.

According to VNE