Fear of radiation, Chinese Residents Panic Buying Salt

SHANGHAI - Lately, the Chinese people hit by panic buying of salt after hearing rumors about the benefits of salt that can prevent diseases caused by radiation. The rumors claim the benefits of iodized salt in preventing poisoning due to exposure to radiation.

As a result, almost all Chinese citizens flocked to invade a supermarket or the nearest store to buy salt as much as possible. In Shanghai, for example, one third of shops located in Maoming Road in Jing An District experiencing shortages of salt in the last two days. Though some stores have received the shipment this morning with a total of three times the number of normal supplies. The owner of a shop or supermarket could also restrict the purchase of two packs of salt for every buyer.

With so many demands are soaring high salt, some stores had to raise prices beyond the normal limit of salt. A pack of salt for 1.8RMB for example, valued by the owner of the shop for 20RMB. In fact, according to the Shanghai Development and Reform Commission, at least 12 cases of illegal and fraudulent pricing of salt accumulation has occurred within two days.

Nevertheless, as quoted by the Shanghai Daily, Development & Reform Commission of National express panic residents have started to subside and the price of salt is also stabilized by an increase in the supply of salt. It is also recognized Mao Qingguo, General Manager of salt producers no. 1 in China, China National Salt Industry Corp (China Salt). He revealed to the Shanghai Daily newspaper, in most areas of China, the residents are not in a hurry to buy and stockpile salt at home.

Earlier, on Thursday (16/03/2011), China Salt alone has sold 370,000 tons of salt, which is usually sold within 24 days. This shows the level of panic the people against the effects of radiation are rumored to be spreading in most parts of China.