China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued two supplementary testing methods to detect novel derivatives of phenolphthalein‑type and bisacodyl‑type substances illegally added to food. These stimulant laxatives can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, electrolyte disorders and liver or kidney damage with prolonged ingestion. As enforcement intensified, some actors synthesized new derivatives to evade detection and added them to jellies, candied fruit, confectionery and beverages while f

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued two supplementary testing methods to detect novel derivatives of phenolphthalein‑type and bisacodyl‑type substances illegally added to food. These stimulant laxatives can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, electrolyte disorders and liver or kidney damage with prolonged ingestion. As enforcement intensified, some actors synthesized new derivatives to evade detection and added them to jellies, candied fruit, confectionery and beverages while falsely claiming therapeutic effects. The new methods can identify multiple novel derivatives and provide technical support for regulatory enforcement, prosecution and sentencing.