Zhejiang bayberries are about to be released on the market in large quantities. How can we address the trust crisis surrounding the issue of "medicated soaking"?

Summary of Key Points

The “medicated” zhangzhou bayberries incident (illegal addition of preservatives and sweeteners) has triggered a crisis in consumer trust regarding the safety of bayberries. Major bayberry-producing areas, such as Yuyao in Zhejiang, have taken measures like upgraded testing, quality insurance, and direct cold-chain delivery to rebuild consumer confidence. This has also highlighted long-standing issues within the bayberry industry, including a short shelf life and insufficient deep processing.

Detailed Analysis

#### 1. “Advanced + Intensified” Testing: Issuing a “Safety Identity Card” for Bayberries

Following the Zhangzhou incident, Zhejiang shifted its testing approach from post-market inspections to pre-event prevention. Instead of randomly testing bayberries at distribution points after they hit the market, samples were collected directly from orchards and farmers in mid-May. The testing scope included not only pesticide residues but also three indicators related to the use of preservatives (sodium dehydroacetate), sweeteners (saccharin), and sugar substitutes (sodium cyclamate), with the frequency of tests doubled. Bayberries that pass the inspection are issued a “compliance certificate.” Consumers can scan a QR code on the packaging to view information about the origin, farmer, and test results—equivalent to giving bayberries a “security identity card.” Farmers now actively request these certificates, as it reassures buyers more than the previous passive approach.

#### 2. Providing “Insurance” for Bayberries: Various Regions Employing Different Protective Measures

This year, multiple regions in Zhejiang have introduced quality and safety insurance for bayberries, providing consumers with extra peace of mind:

• Yuyao, Ningbo: The first bayberry food safety liability insurance was implemented, covering both source testing and full-process control, with insurance coverage in case of issues.
• Ding’ao Bayberries, Wenzhou: Special quality liability insurance provides farmers with up to 3 million yuan in compensation for quality defects or product recall costs.
• Shaoxing: The government has purchased insurance for 193 bayberry farmers, covering scenarios such as food poisoning, with plans to expand the coverage in the future. These insurances are linked to the “Zhejiang Agricultural Code,” allowing consumers to trace the origin of the products by scanning QR codes.

#### 3. Direct Cold-Chain Delivery + Export: Maintaining Freshness to Avoid Middlemen

The sales model for Zhejiang bayberries is direct: after being picked by cooperatives, they are pre-cooled within 4 hours and then carefully sorted before being shipped via cold-chain logistics, reaching consumers within 24 hours. This “from tree to table” approach reduces the risks associated with intermediate purchasing points (as seen in the Zhangzhou incident). For example, the Meilao Da cooperative in Yuyao has even exported bayberries to Hong Kong and Singapore due to their freshness. Local consumers, influenced by the Zhangzhou incident, are willing to pay more for fresh local products, which has led to increased sales of these bayberries.

#### 4. Half of Bayberries Rot on the Trees: Industry Challenges Need Addressing

Bayberries have thin skins, making them highly perishable, with a short shelf life, especially during the rainy season when they are only available for about a month. Approximately half of the annual crop rots on the trees due to two main reasons:

• High picking costs: Many bayberry trees are located in remote areas, making manual harvesting and transportation costly. If the price per pound is below 3 yuan, it’s more profitable to leave the fruit on the tree.
• Lack of Deep Processing: Locals prefer to consume bayberries fresh, with few industries for processing them (such as jam or juice production). Excess produce is often used for making wine. Some cooperatives are starting to try drying or juicing bayberries, but overall processing capacity still needs to be improved.

Conclusion

The Zhangzhou incident has served as a wake-up call for the Zhejiang bayberry industry. It has spurred improvements through enhanced testing and insurance measures, as well as direct cold-chain delivery to maintain freshness. However, it has also highlighted the need for more deep processing to increase the shelf life of bayberries and drive further development in the industry. To succeed, the industry must not only ensure safety but also focus on extending the shelf life and developing new processing methods.