The testing was part of stepped‑up surveillance after reports that cabbages from Hebei province, China, had been treated with formalin. Hebei province later confirmed that formaldehyde was used illegally to preserve cabbages during transportation.

SFA explained that it runs a food sampling and testing programme based on a science‑based risk‑management approach to ensure imported food complies with Singapore’s regulations.

The agency said it will continue monitoring, sampling and testing to guarantee that vegetables sold in Singapore are safe, and it advised consumers to wash their hands before and after handling vegetables and to thoroughly wash vegetables that are not ready to eat.