The panic buying of salt leaded to the shortage of salt in some shops on March 17th. On this situation, we have an exclusive interview with Salt Bureau Secretary Tao Xiaowu.
Reporter: Why did the panic buying suddenly happen?
Tao: The panic buying was triggered by rumors that iodized salt could help ward off radiation poisoning-part of the swirl of misinformation crisscrossing the region in response to Japan's nuclear emergency.
Reporter: Is the salt supplied by Jinan market safe?
Tao: Eighty percent salt in Jinan market is mineral salt, which is from Shandong Feicheng Refined Salt Plant and Shangdong Daiyue Refined Plant. And sea salt is mainly used in industry. Mineral salt comes from hundreds and thousands of meters underground salt mine, which means there is no possibility of contamination by nuclear radiation. And sea salt is not refined from seawater; it is extracted from the underground booth, and then is dried in the sun. So the salt in Jinan market is very safe.
Reporter: What measures do the salt companies take to guarantee supply?
Tao: We formulated Jinan Salt Emergency Supply Plan in 2008 to respond the fluctuation of salt market. At present, the salt reserve is 2500 ton. Additionally, the output of the edible salt in Shangdong province accounts for one-third of the total production in the whole country, so there is one strong supply in Jinan salt market.
Reporter: How does the Salt Bureau maintain the market order and eliminate the panic?
Tao: Now, some pushers take the opportunity to hoard salt, drive up the price to gain illegal profits. So our Salt Bureau will increase inspection efforts to severely punish the illegal behaviour. And we also appeal the public to keep calm and not to make panic purchase.
