A spokesperson for COFCOA Great Wall Wine, who declined to be named, told the Global Times that the company welcomes the government's move but refused to comment on any resulting losses.

Huang Weidong, a leading expert on the wine industry from the China Alcoholic Drinks Industry Association, said that the additives could cause headaches and irregularities in the rhythm of the heart, as well as cancer.

A 26-year-old local surnamed Zhang in Changli said the villagers are terrified that their income will plummet after this exposure.

"We don't know how to survive in the future. What if most of the wineries are shut down and no one buys our grapes? Over 80 percent of our lands are used to grow grapes," Zhang said.

Zhang Yongjian, executive director of the research center for the development and regulation of the food and drug industry, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the exposure would have a negative impact on the industry.

"It will have a destructive effect to the industry in Changli in the short term. It will be hard for the county to restore its current status or gain recognition among nationwide consumers," Zhang said.