China launches crackdown on popular 'wax bottle candies' amid safety concerns

Market supervision authorities across China have launched a crackdown on "wax bottle candies," a popular snack among elementary and middle school students, over food safety concerns.

The candies, made from beeswax with syrup inside, are known for their unique texture and colorful appearance but are raising alarm due to a lack of proper labeling, including missing production dates, quality certificates, and manufacturer details, posing potential health risks.

In response, authorities in provinces including Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, and Anhui have begun special campaigns targeting the product. On Sunday, the market supervision administration of Yuzhong county in Gansu province conducted food safety inspections in businesses around schools, focusing on wax bottle candies. Officials checked 68 businesses, examining inventory and verifying the qualifications of suppliers. As a result, 38 businesses were ordered to remove the candies from their shelves, with 96 boxes, totaling around 29.4 kilograms, confiscated.

Similar actions have been taken in other regions. Cities like Aksu in Xinjiang, Anyang in Henan, and Mengla in Yunnan have launched campaigns to survey retailers and remove non-compliant wax bottle candies. Authorities are urging businesses to adhere strictly to national food safety standards and to avoid selling products that pose safety hazards.

In addition to enforcement efforts, some cities have issued consumer warnings. The market supervision administration in Anlu, Hubei province, cautioned that wax bottle candies are a relatively new product, with no specific quality standards or research data available. While beeswax itself is not toxic, some manufacturers have been found to use inferior or industrial wax, posing serious health risks to consumers.