What is the Controversy with Goji Berries?

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports from China Central Television (CCTV), a food safety scandal revealed the illegal use of toxic chemicals in goji berry processing in China. This, combined with issues like heavy metal contamination and exaggerated health claims, forms the basis of the controversy with goji berries, shaking consumer trust worldwide.

Quick Summary

The goji berry controversy involves several issues, including the illegal use of toxic chemicals like sodium metabisulfite and industrial sulfur during processing to enhance appearance and shelf life. Reports also detail contamination with heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, even in products labeled organic. Additionally, the industry has been plagued by fraudulent marketing and unsubstantiated health claims, creating distrust among consumers.

Key Points

Illegal Chemical Treatment: In 2024, reports surfaced of Chinese producers illegally using toxic chemicals like sodium metabisulfite and industrial sulfur to improve goji berry color and shelf life.
Heavy Metal Contamination: Goji berries have been found to contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, often absorbed from contaminated soil during cultivation, affecting even 'organic' products.
Fraudulent Health Claims: Early marketing was built on exaggerated and debunked stories, like a herbalist living to 256, and other unverified 'superfood' claims.
Marketing Litigation: A 2009 class-action lawsuit targeted false advertising regarding goji juice, leading to a settlement and marketing changes for the company involved.
Health vs. Risk: The berries offer nutritional benefits like antioxidants, but these can be undermined by contaminants and interactions with medications like blood thinners.
Increased Market Scrutiny: Global food safety agencies have increased testing and implemented import alerts on goji berries due to safety concerns, prompting more rigorous oversight.
Need for Consumer Vigilance: Consumers must source from reputable suppliers who provide third-party testing and be mindful of potential risks, including chemical residue.

Unpacking the Goji Berry Controversy

For centuries, goji berries, also known as wolfberries, have been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. Praised for their vibrant red color and potent antioxidant content, they surged into the global market, lauded as a 'superfood'. However, this rapid rise to popularity has been shadowed by significant controversies concerning production, safety, and marketing tactics. Understanding these issues is crucial for consumers seeking to make informed choices.

Illegal and Unsafe Production Practices

One of the most alarming aspects of the goji berry controversy is the illegal use of banned chemicals in their processing. In 2024, a major scandal was exposed in China by CCTV, revealing that some farmers and traders were soaking and fumigating goji berries with toxic chemicals.

Sodium Metabisulfite: A chemical used to prevent discoloration and enhance the berries' bright red color, which is banned for use in goji berry processing in China. Its overuse can cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Industrial Sulfur: Used to fumigate the berries, this toxic chemical helps prolong shelf life and deter pests. This illegal practice prioritizes cosmetic appeal over consumer safety, driven by the higher prices that chemically treated berries fetch.

While this scandal specifically targeted Chinese production, it has broader implications for global food safety standards and erodes consumer confidence in imported products.

Heavy Metal Contamination

Beyond unsafe chemical treatment, goji berries have also been found to contain levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. This contamination can occur during cultivation, as the plants absorb these elements from polluted soil, water, or even fertilizer.

In 2023, a Hong Kong consumer watchdog found that all 27 samples of dried goji berries tested contained traces of various heavy metals, with two samples near the regulatory maximum for lead.
Similar findings were reported in Taiwan, where tests revealed heavy metals in all tested products, including those certified as organic.

While regulatory limits exist in many countries, long-term exposure to these contaminants can pose health risks. This highlights the difficulty in guaranteeing the safety of globally sourced food products and the critical importance of strong, transparent oversight.

Exaggerated and Fraudulent Health Claims

The marketing of goji berries has long been criticized for unsubstantiated and misleading health claims. The berries are often promoted with a near-mythical status, promising everything from eternal youth to miraculous cures.

The 256-Year-Old Herbalist: One of the most famous marketing stories claims a Chinese herbalist named Li Qing Yuen lived to the age of 256 due to his daily consumption of goji berries. This story, popularized in a 2003 booklet, is widely regarded as fake news.
Legal Challenges: In 2009, a class action lawsuit was filed against a company for false and deceptive advertising of its goji juice products. The company was later forced to change its marketing and pay a settlement.
Dubious 'Organic' Claims: The presence of heavy metals and pesticides in products labeled as organic raises serious questions about the integrity of the supply chain and certification process.

The Health Benefits vs. Safety Risks Debate

The core of the goji controversy lies in the balance between the purported health benefits and the proven risks associated with product quality. The scientific community acknowledges that goji berries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can support eye health, immune function, and liver health. However, these potential benefits are overshadowed by concerns over contaminants and medication interactions.


Aspect	Goji Berry Health Benefits (When Safe)	Goji Berry Safety Risks (Due to Contamination)
Antioxidants	Rich in zeaxanthin, vitamin A, and vitamin C, protecting against cell damage.	Antioxidant benefits can be negated by pesticide and heavy metal exposure.
Eye Health	Zeaxanthin can protect against age-related macular degeneration.	Potential for heavy metal consumption, which can impact overall health negatively.
Immune Support	Vitamins A and C help boost the immune system.	Contaminated berries pose a health risk, counteracting any potential immune benefits.
Quality Assurance	Can be assured with trusted, certified brands that provide lab testing.	Lack of regulation in some regions leads to high risk of contaminants.
Medication Interaction	No interaction for healthy individuals.	Can interact with blood thinners and diabetes medication, increasing health risks.

Navigating the Contamination Landscape

In response to these issues, food safety agencies worldwide, such as the US FDA, have issued import alerts for goji berries from certain producers and increased scrutiny. Consumers can take several steps to minimize their risk:

Source from Reputable Suppliers: Choose brands that provide third-party lab testing results for heavy metals and pesticides, ensuring quality control.
Choose Certified Organic: While not foolproof, choosing organic products from reliable regions can reduce the likelihood of pesticide contamination.
Wash and Soak: Washing dried goji berries before consumption can help remove surface-level contaminants.
Be Wary of Price: Unusually cheap goji berries may be a red flag, indicating less rigorous production and quality standards.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective

The controversy with goji berries is a complex issue rooted in a blend of health potential and commercial misconduct. While the berries themselves are nutritionally valuable, the risks associated with fraudulent marketing, chemical processing, and heavy metal contamination cannot be ignored. The situation underscores the importance of supply chain transparency and the need for consumers to be vigilant. By understanding the ethical and safety concerns, one can still enjoy the benefits of goji berries by carefully selecting a high-quality, verified product and consuming it in moderation. The market has matured, with many reputable suppliers now offering transparent sourcing and testing to restore the trust that was lost in the wake of these scandals. However, the legacy of the controversy serves as a cautionary tale for the broader 'superfood' industry, emphasizing that origin and processing matter just as much as nutritional content.

Visit Freeworld Trading for their insights into ethical sourcing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toxic chemicals like sodium metabisulfite and industrial sulfur were illegally used by some producers to enhance the berries' vibrant red color and extend their shelf life, allowing them to be sold for higher prices.

While contamination has been detected in numerous market samples, especially from certain regions, not all goji berries are contaminated. The level of risk depends heavily on the sourcing, with reputable suppliers offering certified, tested products.

Organic certification can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure, but it doesn't guarantee freedom from heavy metal contamination, which can be absorbed from the soil. It is best to purchase from transparent brands that test their products and make the results public.

No, the story of Chinese herbalist Li Qing Yuen, who supposedly lived to be 256 by eating goji berries daily, is regarded as a piece of fake news created for marketing purposes.

Yes, goji berries may interact with certain medications. In particular, they can interact with blood thinners like warfarin, as well as some diabetes and blood pressure drugs. Always consult a doctor before adding goji berries to your diet, especially if on medication.

Consumers should look for brands that provide third-party lab testing results for heavy metals and pesticides. Researching the brand's sourcing and quality control measures is also important to ensure safety.

There is a concern that goji berries might cause the uterus to contract. Due to a lack of sufficient safety data, it is not recommended to consume goji berries while pregnant.