China advocates strong price controls for pork

China issued an urgent warning of stronger controls for unprincipled pork-selling practices amid soaring pork prices, AP reported. Wholesale pork prices increased nearly 75% in July compared to the previous year, due in large part to the outbreak of blue ear disease, creating a pork shortage and contributing to widespread reports of butchers selling pork injected with water or diseased products to consumers. The Health Ministry reported 3,503 cases of food poisoning nationwide in the second quarter of this year, including 70 deaths. A government notice stated that "industrial and commerce departments at all levels should strike hard and strictly fight against the practice."