30 wineries making adulterated liquor shut in China

BEIJING - Nearly 30 wineries were shut down Friday morning in a Chinese province after television reports showed the liquor being produced there was adulterated.

The Hebei government acted after China Central Television Station (CCTV) showed on a show Thursday evening that wines made in Changli county contained impurities, Xinhua reported Friday.

The CCTV footage showed a local sales manager admitting some of the wine was only 20 percent pure, added with water and chemicals like colour additives and citric acid.

Hebei governor Chen Quanguo ordered an investigation late Thursday night after an emergency government meeting.

He said the wine makers would have their production licenses revoked, and that they should immediately recall their products.

Changli county, which has nearly 100 wineries, is known in China as a major distributing centre of liquor products.