Core Viewpoint - The "borax pork" incident has raised significant public concern regarding food safety, highlighting the rampant online sale of borax and misleading promotions of "edible borax," which pose a serious threat to food safety [1][2]. Group 1: Food Safety Concerns - Borax is classified as a toxic compound, and its use in food production is explicitly prohibited by national regulations [2][5]. - High-purity borax is being sold online under misleading labels, with some vendors promoting it as "edible" and suggesting it enhances food texture [2][3]. - A specific online store sold 500 grams of 95% pure borax for only 12.5 yuan, with significant sales volume and positive customer reviews, indicating a troubling trend in consumer behavior [2][3]. Group 2: Illegal Additives in Food - Reports indicate that illegal borax use in food, particularly in meat and dough products, is becoming increasingly common, with some vendors caught adding borax to pork to mimic beef [4][5]. - Recent inspections revealed that certain eateries were found to have illegally added borax to their food products, leading to legal actions against the offenders [4][5]. Group 3: Health Risks and Expert Opinions - Experts warn that even small amounts of borax can pose health risks, including gastrointestinal issues and potential long-term damage to reproductive and endocrine systems [6][7]. - The adult toxic dose of borax is identified as 1-3 grams, with children being particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects [6][7]. - Recommendations include stricter regulation of chemical product sales on e-commerce platforms and increased inspections of high-risk food products to combat illegal borax use [7].

Core Viewpoint - The recent incident of suspected borax being applied to pork has sparked significant public concern and discussion, leading to reports being made to market regulatory authorities for inspection [1][2]. Group 1: Health Risks - Borax is a toxic substance that is explicitly prohibited from being added to food in China, and its presence in food products can lead to serious health issues, including digestive problems, appetite loss, and acute poisoning symptoms [2][6]. - Long-term consumption of food containing borax can be life-threatening, with a lethal dose for adults being 15 grams and only 2-3 grams for infants [6]. Group 2: Detection Methods - Consumers can identify borax in pork by its slippery texture, darker color compared to fresh pork, and the presence of white powder or a faint alkaline smell [6][12]. - For other products like tofu, glutinous rice dumplings, and rice noodles, signs of borax include unusual texture, excessive toughness, and a slippery feel when wet [8][12].

Overview - The borax market in China is experiencing continuous growth due to the rapid development of downstream markets such as glass manufacturing, detergents, and ceramics, with a projected demand of 987,200 tons in 2024 [1][11] - China's borax production has remained between 100,000 to 160,000 tons in recent years, leading to a high import dependency of 89.51% with an expected import volume of 883,600 tons in 2024 [1][11] Industry Background - Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate, is a key mineral resource in China, with policies implemented to protect boron resources and regulate mining practices to ensure sustainable development [3][4] - The production technology for borax has improved, particularly with advancements in salt lake brine extraction methods, enhancing resource utilization and reducing production costs [3][4] Industry Chain - The borax industry chain consists of upstream boron mining, midstream borax production and processing, and downstream applications in various sectors including glass, detergents, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and fertilizers [5] Upstream Market - Boron mining is the most critical upstream market for the borax industry, with major resources located in Liaoning, Qinghai, and Tibet. The production of boron ore is expected to increase from 300,000 tons in 2023 to 340,000 tons in 2024 [7] Downstream Demand - Glass manufacturing is the largest consumer of borax in China, accounting for over 40% of the demand. The production of flat glass is projected to reach 1,000,417 tons in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 1.31% [9][11] - The production of laminated glass is expected to reach 15,765,100 square meters in 2024, reflecting a growth of 7.17%, indicating a robust demand for borax in the glass industry [9][11] Competitive Landscape - The borax production enterprises are primarily located in Liaoning, Tibet, and Qinghai, with Liaoning having a significant share of production capacity due to its industrial cluster effect [13] - Key players in the industry include Fengcheng Chemical Group, which produces a substantial portion of the national borax output, and Yingkou Tenglong New Materials, known for its extensive resource reserves and production capabilities [14][17] Development Trends - Future demand for high-purity and high-performance borax products is expected to rise in high-end sectors such as semiconductors and aerospace, prompting companies to increase R&D investments [19] - With stricter environmental regulations, borax enterprises are likely to enhance their focus on eco-friendly technologies, aiming for efficient waste treatment and resource recycling to promote green production [19]