News

This story says that China is not a major exporter of dairy products—-currently the source of the food contamination scandal—-it is one of the world’s largest exporters of meats, seafood, beverages and vitamins.

The first hint of the scandal’s world-wide potential came when Asian parents were advised not to buy baby formula in markets catering to Chinese living elsewhere.

New York Times

“Chinese regulators said Friday that they were widening their investigation into contaminated food amid growing signs that an industrial chemical called melamine had leeched into the nation’s animal feed supplies, posing even deeper health risks to consumers after the recent tainted milk scandal.

“The announcement came after food safety tests earlier this week found that eggs produced in three different provinces in China were contaminated with melamine, a chemical that is blamed for causing kidney stones and renal failure in infants. The tests have led to recalls of eggs and consumer warnings.

“The reports are another serious blow to China’s agriculture industry, which is already struggling to cope with its worst food safety scandal in decades after melamine tainted milk supplies sickened over 50,000 children, caused at least four deaths and led to global recalls of goods produced with Chinese dairy products earlier this fall.

“The cases are fueling global concerns about contaminated Chinese food. In Hong Kong, food safety officials announced this week that they would be testing a wider variety of foods for melamine, including vegetables, flour and meat products.”

Source: New York Times, October 31, 2008