Omar Khalid
There have been several claims and viral videos on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, alleging that plastic cabbage is being sold as food, particularly in China and Japan. However, fact-checking organisations like Snopes and Dismislab have debunked these claims, clarifying that the videos showcase the creation of artificial food samples used purely for display or advertising purposes in restaurants and food stores. The practice of using fake food models is common in Asia, particularly in Japan, where they are known as shokuhin sample or food sample. While these ultra-realistic plastic food models may resemble real cabbage, they are not meant for consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic cabbage sold as food | No evidence found |
| Fake cabbage videos | Videos misrepresent the process of making artificial lettuce for display purposes only in Japanese restaurants |
| Fake cabbage videos origin | Videos originated from a Facebook page called "The People's Voice" and a YouTube video |
| Fake cabbage video description | The video depicts a man pouring white and green-colored liquids into water in a frying pan, resembling the process of making a cabbage |
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What You'll Learn
Fake cabbage videos
Several videos and posts titled "Fake Cabbage" or "How to Make Fake Cabbage" have gone viral on Facebook and YouTube. However, upon verification, these videos do not feature actual fake cabbages. Instead, they showcase the process of creating Japanese food samples, also known as "shokuhin sample" or "food sample". These samples are crafted from plastic and wax to create ultra-realistic model foods for display or advertising purposes in restaurants or large food stores and are not intended for consumption or export.
One such video, published on a Facebook page called "The People's Voice", claimed to show the rapid production of artificial synthetic cabbages in China, with a caption suggesting that these products would soon be available in grocery stores. However, this video was misleading and did not depict covert counterfeit cabbage making its way from China to the US. The original video described the process of making artificial lettuce used for display purposes only in Japanese restaurants.
Another video in Bengali also misrepresented the process, depicting a man pouring coloured liquids into a frying pan, which then congealed and resembled cabbage leaves. This video was also clarified to be a demonstration of creating food samples for a Japanese restaurant's menu exhibition in Gujo, Japan.
The spread of these misleading videos has led to concerns about fraudulent practices in the market, with content creators expressing worries about fake cabbage being sold and consumed. Additionally, false information about the artificial production of other foods, such as eggs and rice, has also been circulating on social media, further contributing to the confusion and mistrust among consumers.
While the videos of fake cabbage production have been exposed as misleading, it is important to note that the use of wax food displays, including synthetic cabbages, is common in Asia. However, due to the unpalatability of wax and the low price point of real cabbage, synthetic cabbages are unlikely to be marketed as a staple anywhere in the world.
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Plastic and wax
Several videos and posts on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube have claimed to showcase the production of artificial synthetic cabbages in China, with captions suggesting that these fake vegetables would soon be available in grocery stores. However, fact-checking organisations like Snopes and Dismislab have clarified that these videos do not feature actual fake cabbages. Instead, they showcase Japanese food samples or the process of creating them, which involves using plastic and wax to craft ultra-realistic model foods with added colour to enhance their appearance. These fake foods are meant for display or advertising purposes in restaurants or large food stores and are not intended for consumption or export.
The idea of synthetic cabbages being sold as food doesn't seem plausible due to the unpalatability of wax and the fact that it would melt when cooked. Additionally, the low price point of real cabbage makes such a substitution costlier than retailing genuine cabbage. While it is true that fake food displays are common in Asia, there is no evidence to support the claim that synthetic cabbages are being mass-marketed to unsuspecting consumers.
The practice of creating hyper-realistic fake foods for display is particularly prevalent in Japan, where it is known as "shokuhin sample" or "food sample". These fake meals function as supplements to menus in Japanese restaurants, allowing customers to see what the dishes actually look like. While the primary purpose of these fake foods is display and advertising, there have been concerns about fraudulent practices in the market, with some individuals claiming to have purchased and consumed fake vegetables.
It is important to be cautious and rely on verified sources of information when encountering such claims on social media. Fact-checking organisations play a crucial role in verifying the accuracy of information and helping to distinguish between fake news and legitimate concerns about food adulteration or counterfeit products. While synthetic cabbages specifically may not be a widespread issue, it is worth noting that there have been reports of other types of fake food, such as plastic eggs and rice, being sold in certain markets.
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Fake food in Japan
Japan is known for its unique tradition of displaying fake food in front of restaurants. These replicas are made of resin, plastic, wax, or other inedible materials and are meant to act as 3D menus, providing customers with a realistic idea of what the meals look like. This practice originated almost 100 years ago during the Showa Era, when paper menus and colour photography were not widely available. Candle artisans, such as Iwasaki Takizo, recognised as the "Father of Japanese Fake Food," began creating these wax food models to address the issue of fresh food deteriorating and attracting insects. Iwasaki's first creation was an omelet, a staple of Japanese Western cuisine, which he marketed to department stores, leading to the widespread adoption of fake food displays in Japan.
The town of Gujo Hachiman in Gifu Prefecture is particularly renowned for its prevalence of fake foods. Iwasaki moved his factory to this town in the 1950s, and it is estimated that nearly 50% of Japan's fake food is produced here. Despite the availability of mechanical processes, most fake food artisans in Gujo Hachiman continue to create and paint each piece by hand, ensuring they are as realistic as possible.
The Japanese term for these fake foods is "shokuhin sampuru," with "shokuhin" translating to "foodstuffs" and "sampuru" derived from the English word "sample." These replicas serve as enticing advertisements for customers, providing a more accurate representation of the dishes than black-and-white photographs or paper menus of the past.
While some people find the appearance of fake food unappetizing, especially when the colours have faded, it remains an integral part of Japan's food culture. Visitors to Japan can even participate in workshops to learn the craft of creating these hyper-realistic fake food displays, with options to make default to-scale ramen or more complex dishes like parfait, curry rice, or fried rice.
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Chinese synthetic cabbages
In 2016, a video surfaced on Facebook showing a Chinese vendor purportedly making "synthetic cabbages" for sale in American restaurants and supermarkets. The video, titled "Fake Cabbage in Market," showed a man creating a cabbage-like object by ladling coloured liquids into a bowl of water and then shaping the substance. However, the footage was called into question as it displayed Korean characters and a logo for the SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), indicating that it was not related to China.
While there is a tradition of crafting hyper-realistic fake foods for display in Asian restaurants, especially in Japan, the idea that synthetic cabbages are being sold as food does not seem plausible. Wax, which is commonly used to create fake food displays, is unpalatable and would melt when cooked. Additionally, the low price of real cabbage makes it unlikely that anyone would go through the costly process of creating synthetic cabbages for sale.
The video in question may have been part of a conspiracy theory or a misunderstanding about the purpose of fake food displays. It is worth noting that Chinese cabbage, also known as Napa cabbage, is a real and widely cultivated vegetable that is used in various cuisines around the world. It is a staple in Northeastern Chinese cuisine and has been grown in space for consumption and scientific study.
Chinese cabbage has a long history, with the first records of its cultivation dating back to the 15th century in the Yangtze River region of China. Since then, it has spread to other parts of Asia, Europe, America, and Australia. It is known by various names, including "large white vegetable" in Mandarin Chinese and "Chinese leaf" or "winter cabbage" in the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, while there have been claims and videos suggesting the existence of Chinese synthetic cabbages, there is little evidence to support these assertions. The use of wax or other synthetic materials to create fake cabbages for display purposes is a well-known practice in some parts of Asia, but it is unlikely that these synthetic cabbages are being sold as food due to practical and economic reasons.
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Misinformation
In 2016, a video surfaced on Facebook claiming to show the mass production of artificial synthetic cabbages in China, with a caption suggesting that these products would soon be available in grocery stores. However, this was later debunked by the fact-checking organisation Snopes, which found that the video actually showed the creation of artificial lettuce used for display purposes in Japanese restaurants. The video was misrepresented by the Facebook page "The People's Voice", which disseminated misinformation about China to American audiences.
This incident is not an isolated case of misinformation regarding fake food. There have been numerous other instances of false information spreading online, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, about the artificial production of fake eggs, rice, and other vegetables. These videos often claim to expose fraudulent practices in the market, alleging that fake food products are being sold to unsuspecting consumers. However, upon verification, many of these videos have been found to be misleading or completely false.
For example, in 2021, Factwatch addressed rumours of fake plastic rice being sold in the open market instead of real rice. They found that these rumours had been circulating for years and were not supported by credible evidence. Similarly, in 2022, Newschecker published a verification report debunking claims of plastic fake eggs being sold in the market. These claims, which had also been spreading for years, were also found to be completely false.
The creation of hyper-realistic fake food is not uncommon, particularly in Asia, where it is used for display or advertising purposes in restaurants or food stores. This practice of using plastic food as a supplement to menus is especially prevalent in Japan, where it is known as "shokuhin sample" or "food sample". However, these fake foods are not intended for consumption or export, and the videos circulating online do not provide evidence of adulterated food or counterfeit vegetables being sold to consumers.
While the creation of synthetic cabbages and other fake food items may be fascinating, it is important to verify the information and be cautious of misleading or false claims. The spread of misinformation can have significant impacts, causing unnecessary fear and confusion among consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Videos and posts titled “Fake Cabbage” or “How to Make Fake Cabbage” showcase Japanese food samples or the process of creating them. These circulating videos have no connection to the production of adulterated food or counterfeit vegetables. In Japan, such ‘food samples’ are typically crafted for display or advertising purposes in restaurants or large food stores, with no intention for consumption or export.
Plastic food is called "shokuhin sample" (食品サンプル) or "food sample" in Japanese. These fake meals function as supplements to the menu so people can see what the meals actually look like.
Fake cabbages are not being sold for consumption. They are used for display or advertising purposes in restaurants or large food stores.
