Picture this: a bustling marketplace brimming with curious shoppers eager to get their hands on the king of fruits, none other than the infamous durian. The scene unfolds at the Qingdao Thai Fruits Golden Months 2021 event in Qingdao, China. With its unmistakable aroma and unique taste, Thai durians have always been a favorite among fruit aficionados. In May 2021, this love affair was palpable, as consumers reminisced or perhaps schemed their next big durian feast.
The tantalizing journey of these durians to China recently faced a hurdle due to the Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) challenge. This innocuous-sounding name belongs to a carcinogenic coloring substance, a thorn in the side of Thai durian exporters. The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) laid down the law on January 10, 2025, stating that each juicy durian must pass the BY2 test before embarking on its journey to excite taste buds across China.
Imagine the scene at the Youyiguan Border Gate—customs officials donning laboratory coats, ready to tackle the durian BY2 dilemma with test tubes in hand. Every container loaded with durian was sampled meticulously, ensuring the prized fruit met the stringent safety standards. And lo and behold, on January 20, a breakthrough! Three containers of sumptuous Thai durian breezed through the BY2 lab test with flying colors.
Celebration was in the air! A day later, the victorious durians were free, just in time to join the vibrant festivities of the Chinese New Year. The remarkable speed of this process was nothing short of a New Year’s miracle, shortened by the sheer flow of products across borders during the festive rush.
But the work wasn’t done. The Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Guangzhou was on a mission, discussing the future screening protocols over a steaming cup of green tea. Chinese Lunar New Year, spanning January 28 to February 4, was on the horizon, and Thai exporters received a trove of insights and guidelines ensuring hitch-free smooth durian deliveries.
Taking us back, on Wednesday, January 22, a revelation came when Chaisak Rinkluan from the Plant and Agricultural Materials Control Office of Thailand’s Department of Agriculture laid bare the export delay rumblings. Chinese authorities found hints of BY2 not only in durians but also in longans, a juicy surprise no one wanted. Eight warehouses, renowned for housing these fruits in Thailand’s proud regions of Chumphon, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and others, fell prey to the whiff of BY2, leaving exporters staring at a temporary suspension like durian lovers awaiting next season’s harvest.
Mr. Chaisak, holding fast to the Ministry of Agriculture’s principles, iterated their steadfast dedication to thwart contaminated durians from marring the billion-baht Thai durian empire. He envisioned a future overflowing with the sweet gesture of gifting safely tested, scrumptiously delicious Thai durians to delighted Chinese consumers celebrating their New Year.
To end this saga with a tropical twist, the DoA organized a durian dream test run for shipments soaring from Suvarnabhumi airport. In their relentless pursuit of perfection, they ensured every thorn of this prickly fruit was rigorously inspected before it took flight, leaving nothing to chance—no fruit left behind in ensuring durian delight!
I can’t believe they allow durians with carcinogens! It’s outrageous that this even happened in the first place.
I think you’re overreacting. It’s good that they tested and caught it before anything bad happened.
I understand they’re catching them now, but how did it get this far without detection?
Better safe than sorry, but it’s alarming how widespread this was!
This revelation might just make people more cautious about importing exotic fruits.
Sure, but should we always just blame exporters? There’s a lot to consider in trade relationships.
I’m excited that we’ll get safe durians in time for Chinese New Year. They’re a special treat for the holiday!
It’s more about what’s safe! They shouldn’t have risked it. Testing should be thorough always.
I wonder how this will affect future trade agreements between Thailand and China. Will they be stricter?
Possibly, but it could also lead to improved practices and better quality control.
I prefer my durians without risk of cancer, thank you. They should’ve been more careful!
Come on, the BY2 was a mistake, but they’ve increased safety measures now.
Checks like this are crucial to ensure the safety of what we eat, but it makes me rethink buying imported fruits.
Exactly! Support local farmers, and you’ll know exactly where your food comes from.
Thailand losing potential exports because of a dye seems like such a waste. Let’s hope it doesn’t scar their reputation.
If these tests continue, other exports might face delays too. It’s a tough situation all around.
The lesson here should be about proactive testing and screening, not just reacting when things go wrong.
The speed of getting safe durians to market was impressive. Shows resilience!
I love durians! Glad they are ensuring they’re safe again. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again.
This makes it hard for smaller Thai exporters. How can they compete under so much scrutiny?
True, but safety must always come first. It’s a complex trade-off.
I’m still skeptical about this being an isolated issue. Other fruits might have similar problems.
Hopefully, they’ve learned from this fiasco and it deters future slip-ups!
As long as they keep testing rigorously, there should be less to worry about.
Absolutely. Testing leads to better food quality overall.
We need to pressure companies to keep safety a priority, not just profit margins.
Here’s hoping for fewer delays in the future. Durian fans in China will want more and more!