Toxins found in food from China - Bangkok Post

 

 

Imports of popular Chinese fruit, vegetables and food products were blacklisted yesterday after tests found high levels of toxic contamination and cancer-causing chemical residues. The tests were conducted by the Department of Medical Science and the Food and Drug Administration on about 11,500 food items.

 

They revealed dangerously high pesticide residues in Chinese spinach, white greens, carrots, celery, pears and collard greens, department chief Paichit Warachit said.

Sulphur dioxide residue was found in dried herbs such as Chinese pyrethrum and white mushroom, while excessive amounts of lead was discovered in dried shark fin and seasoned seaweed. The carcinogenic drug, chloramphenicol was found in goat milk powder and dried fruit snacks such as dried plums contained the artificial sweetener, saccharine. Jelly, candy and gum imported from China were also found to contain banned artificial colourings and fungi were detected in soft drinks and preserved fruits.

 

''China's food production process is of poor quality because they focus on mass production rather than quality control,'' said Dr Paichit. Dr Paichit said food products from China would be closely examined at major entry points, including Chiang Saen port, Chiang Khong and Mae Sai check points in Chiang Rai Province to safeguard Thai consumers. Shipments would be destroyed or returned to China if they were found to be unsafe.

 

Chiang Saen on the Mekong River is the main trading post between Thailand and the southern provinces of China. Most products from China are shipped along the river to the district. Chinese vegetables, fruit and food products have flooded into Thailand since the Thai-Chinese free trade agreement took effect in October 2003.

The agreement reduced tariffs from 30% to zero for about 200 fruits and vegetables.

 

Bangkok Post

 

 

I'm afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg. A few days ago I posted an article about the lack of quality control at all levels of production in China in the "Beer Bar" and I'm posting the link in this thread below.

 

Don't expect China to clean up its act anytime soon (you'll learn why in the article). Suffice to say, importers are part of the problem because they're constantly pushing Chinese manufactures to lower their prices.

 

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article...?articleid=1776