Toxins found in food from China

HEALTH IMPORTS BLACKLISTED

Imports of popular Chinese Fruit, vegetables and food products were blacklisted yesterday after tests found high levels of toxic contamination and cancer-causing chemicals 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 residues were also found in dried herbs such as Chinese pyrethrum and white mushrooms, excessive amounts of lead in dried shark fin and seasoned seaweed, the carcinogenic drug chloramphenol in goat milk powder, and the artificial sweetener saccharine in dried fruit snacks such as dried plums.

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.

“We will try our best to inspect all Chinese products before allowing them to enter Thailand.”

Dr. Prachit 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 to safeguard Thai consumers. Shipments would be destroyed or returned to China if they were found to be unsafe.

Chinag Saen on the Mekong river, is the main trading post between Thailand and 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.

The Bangkok Post – Thailand, 17-8-2007

Collected by Antoni P. Uni – Bangkok 17-8-2007

Extract Bangkok Post 17-8-2007:

Beijing – Beijing yesterday hit out at the foreign press and "irresponsible people" for raising fears about Chinese-made toys and other exports that have been recalled due to safety concerns.
"Some media and irresponsible people take a small problem and make it into a large one," Commerce Ministry spokesman Wang Xinpel said when asked about various recalls, most recently by US toy giant Mattel. "The Chinese government opposes these actions."…………..

………….But the media saying all Chinese products are bad, this is a shame," he said…………….

It should be good when China starts investigating and upgrading their controls before starting offending in this way: part of the list: dangerous products, bad quality, life threatening products, dangerous and even deadly fake medicines,
ill and dead consumers, pirated and copied products etc. etc.