The incident of a food coloring leakage in a Japanese port caused a natural river to change its color to a shade similar to that of human blood, which immediately caught the attention of the nearby residents. The abrupt manifestation of the river’s altered condition baffled locals and caused concern, due to the unexpected nature of the occurrence.
Evident in the images captured, the river flowing through Nago city in Okinawa, Japan had undergone a dramatic transformation, displaying a profound red hue in its waters.
Upon investigation, representatives of a local brewery concluded that a food coloring agent had unintentionally leaked into the river through a storm drain. However, they assured that the chemical spill did not present any potential harm in terms of public health and safety.
Following the incident, Orion Breweries, the beer factory in question, promptly released an official statement expressing their sincere apologies for the inconvenience and distress caused by the unintended repercussions of their operations. They acknowledged the significant trouble and concerns that arose as a result and expressed remorse for any inconvenience caused.
The residents of the area impacted by the incident resorted to digital platforms such as social media to share their thoughts and opinions on the matter at hand. Many locals expressed their discomfort and concern by describing the sight of the crimson river as dreadful, and certain individuals even likened it to a dangerous and toxic agent, based on their perception of its appearance.
According to various sources within Japan’s media, the leakage of the food coloring into the river was traced back to a malfunction occurring within one of the brewery’s cooling systems, likely to have happened during the most recent Tuesday. The reports suggest that the situation was contained and rectified by 9:30 AM local time after the necessary steps were taken to prevent further spillage.
Representatives from the brewery have reported that the observed change in color of the river was brought about by the presence of propylene glycol, a substance utilized in the food industry as a cooling agent.
As affirmed by the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, propylene glycol, extensively employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, is deemed to be “generally recognized as safe”.
Hajime Murano, the president of the brewery company, has acknowledged the incident and stated that the company is actively investigating the cause of the leak. Furthermore, he expressed the company’s commitment to implementing preventive measures in order to ensure that such an unintended release does not recur in the future.
According to the Okinawa Times, a local health official has asserted that the leakage is unlikely to cause significant environmental harm. Nago, a city renowned as a Japanese resort destination, is notably recognized for its flourishing fishing ports and bountiful pineapple farms.
