App reportedly received a surge in queries this week after newspaper exposed food safety scandal

An app that allows users to track trucks across China has been disabled after a scandal in which reporters discovered that tankers used to transport fuel were also being used to transport cooking oil, without proper cleaning in between.

On Thursday, Chinese media reported that the tracking function on Shipping Help, an app used to track cargos, had been disabled. The app displayed a message saying the service was being “upgraded” and was therefore “temporarily unavailable”.

Previously, Shipping Help’s tracking function could be used by normal people and businesses to inquire about the location of specific trucks, using satellite monitors.

The app reportedly received a surge in queries this week after reports emerged about long-distance tankers used for transporting fuel being loaded up with edible oil for their return journeys, without the tankers being disinfected in between loads. The reports led to fears that oil that may be contaminated with toxic chemicals is finding its way into people’s food.