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Mainland China's "black-hearted" food and medicine products continue to proliferate despite repeated bans. A recent episode of CCTV's *Weekly Quality Report* exposed unscrupulous factories producing donkey-hide gelatin, a traditional Chinese medicine, by not only mixing cowhide into the raw materials but also using leftover scraps from industrial leather processing. These substandard products are continuously shipped to major cities like Guangzhou for sale, putting Hong Kong residents traveling north at risk of purchasing them.
Donkey-hide gelatin, also known as ejiao, is a Chinese medicinal ingredient valued for its blood-nourishing and yin-enhancing properties. Authentic ejiao is made from whole donkey hides and is traditionally produced in Dong'e County, Shandong Province, known as the "home of ejiao." According to *Weekly Quality Report*, genuine ejiao is expensive, with a production cost of at least 90 yuan (RMB) per kilogram. To maximize profits, many ejiao manufacturers in Dong'e County source cheaper products from neighboring Yanggu County or even farther away, such as Taiqian County in Henan Province, where the wholesale price is as low as 30 yuan per kilogram, before repackaging and reselling them.
**Packaging Claims "Passed National Inspection"**
The reason ejiao from Dong'e County is so much cheaper is that unscrupulous manufacturers not only mix 40% cowhide into the production to cut costs but also use low-quality donkey hides, which account for 60% of the material. The report revealed that these inferior donkey hides are actually leftover scraps from tanneries—waste pieces remaining after leather goods production. Due to a lack of moisture-proofing measures, many of these hides have already rotted before processing. The report also noted that these substandard hides come from Hebei Province, the largest leather processing base in northern China, where they were previously considered worthless.
Beyond problematic raw materials, the production environment in these factories is appalling, with flies swarming everywhere. Yet, the ejiao they produce is stamped with "passed national inspection" labels and sold in major cities like Guangzhou and Beijing, where it is reportedly very popular.
With counterfeit ejiao flooding the market, Hong Kong travelers heading north are at risk of buying fake products. Industry insiders advise that genuine ejiao tends to be darker in color and emits a fragrant aroma. In contrast, products with a yellowish tint or an unusual odor are likely fakes.
Source: http://www. hkdailynews. com. hk/ china. php? id=104881
Fake Donkey-Hide Gelatin Made from Inferior Leather Sold in Beijing and Guangzhou
Mainland China's "black-hearted" food and medicine products continue to proliferate despite repeated bans. A recent episode of CCTV's *Weekly Quality Report* exposed unscrupulous factories producing donkey-hide gelatin, a traditional Chinese medicine, by not only mixing cowhide into the raw materials but also using leftover scraps from industrial leather processing. These substandard products are continuously shipped to major cities like Guangzhou for sale, putting Hong Kong residents traveling north at risk of purchasing them.
Donkey-hide gelatin, also known as ejiao, is a Chinese medicinal ingredient valued for its blood-nourishing and yin-enhancing properties. Authentic ejiao is made from whole donkey hides and is traditionally produced in Dong'e County, Shandong Province, known as the "home of ejiao." According to *Weekly Quality Report*, genuine ejiao is expensive, with a production cost of at least 90 yuan (RMB) per kilogram. To maximize profits, many ejiao manufacturers in Dong'e County source cheaper products from neighboring Yanggu County or even farther away, such as Taiqian County in Henan Province, where the wholesale price is as low as 30 yuan per kilogram, before repackaging and reselling them.
**Packaging Claims "Passed National Inspection"**
The reason ejiao from Dong'e County is so much cheaper is that unscrupulous manufacturers not only mix 40% cowhide into the production to cut costs but also use low-quality donkey hides, which account for 60% of the material. The report revealed that these inferior donkey hides are actually leftover scraps from tanneries—waste pieces remaining after leather goods production. Due to a lack of moisture-proofing measures, many of these hides have already rotted before processing. The report also noted that these substandard hides come from Hebei Province, the largest leather processing base in northern China, where they were previously considered worthless.
Beyond problematic raw materials, the production environment in these factories is appalling, with flies swarming everywhere. Yet, the ejiao they produce is stamped with "passed national inspection" labels and sold in major cities like Guangzhou and Beijing, where it is reportedly very popular.
With counterfeit ejiao flooding the market, Hong Kong travelers heading north are at risk of buying fake products. Industry insiders advise that genuine ejiao tends to be darker in color and emits a fragrant aroma. In contrast, products with a yellowish tint or an unusual odor are likely fakes.
Source: http://www. hkdailynews. com. hk/ china. php? id=104881