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.
