Common Chinese urban myths about seafood consumption, including an explanation on why seafood consumption doesn’t cause gout, are being targeted by a new website set up by China’s government and run by the country’s leading news agency.
The “China Food Rumor Refuting” site’s launch is an effort by government to boost domestically produced food products, which have lost market share to imports due to worries over food safety. The site is administered by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The website takes on rumors or urban myths about food products by using scientists and experts from renowned universities and state agencies. Among the daily updates: how eating seafood doesn’t lead to gout, with scientists from the state Academy of Sciences giving factual medical explanations as to why shellfish does not actually cause the painful medical condition.
Another article tackled rumors about seaweed producers using recycled plastic to bulk up packages of dried seaweed, a household cooking favorite in Chinese supermarkets. That rumor was started on Chinese social media by the competitors of a Chinese seafood packager, according to the website.
China has seen several court cases in recent years involving companies claiming to be maligned in slanderous campaigns conducted by PR firms hired by competitors.
