Following the recall or blacklisting of a string of China-made or China partially-made products – including seafood, toys, tires and even Independence Day fireworks – US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told Beijing to put its house in order.
“What we’ve told the Chinese is that they have to do this now,” he said. “This is something they need to take extremely seriously.”
The US has also announced that it will set up an import safety panel, chaired by the secretary of health and human services and reporting to convey to the White House.
Beijing’s response to Gutierrez’s remarks was combative to say the least. Chicken and pork imports from seven US companies, including Tyson Foods, America’s largest meat processor, were suspended by Chinese authorities.
Food safety regulators claimed that salmonella and feed additives amongst other things had been found in the products but the move was still widely regarded as a largely retaliatory gesture.
Nevertheless, some good is coming out of the situation. A State Food and Drug Administration official admitted that the export scandals posed a threat to China’s international reputation and steps were taken to reassure trade partners.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine unveiled a new food-safety reporting system to go into effect on August 8, exactly a year before the start of the 2008 Olympics. Products will be monitored from their origin through to distribution, with reports including details of any food-safety accidents. Food for export must carry an inspection and quarantine symbol to guarantee safety.
This, together with other measures such as the banning of certain ingredients and the closure of offending companies, is likely to force further consolidation in key sectors. It was suggested the regulatory crackdown could see the removal of half of China’s 448,000 food processing companies by 2009.
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