在安徽省省会合肥市的周谷堆市场,各种各样的化学添加剂可谓琳琅满目。一位店铺老板说,有一种叫飘香剂的化学添加剂,只需滴上一滴,整锅都会很香。健康专家们称,这些添加剂不仅会损伤内脏,还可能致癌。
Hotpot's hidden chemical hazards
The popular Chinese dish of hotpot is a dangerous chemical brew, according to an investigation by anhuinews.com. A former hotpot chef turned businessman, Mr. Wang, said he quit his restaurant job because the rampant use of chemicals went against his conscience. "More than 80 percent of hotpots contain chemical additives that not only lower the cost but also make the food smell more appetizing," Wang said.
All kinds of chemical additives can be found in Zhougudui market in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province. One shop owner claimed just a drop of a chemical called "pot fragrance" would make a hotpot smell delicious. But health experts warn that additives can harm internal organs and cause cancer.