Chantal, Formaldehyde in your flour?!

In June, 2007, 180 Chinese food manufacturers were shut down in response to the findings of toxic ingredients in products. In preceding months, inspectors found traces of mineral oils, paraffin wax, dyes, malachite green chloride, and formaldehyde in Chinese food manufacturing companies. These toxins were used in the production of candy, pickles, flour, biscuits, black fungus, bean curd, seafood, and melon seeds. While these mostly came from small and unlicensed food plants, the thought is still unsettling to food safety officials and to consumers. Han Yi, the head of the Chinese government’s quality control and inspection department stated “These are not isolated cases” and went on to suggest a larger number of companies may have similar problems.

Though contaminated products have made US headlines, the majority of major Chinese news outlets have not broadcast or published the scary results. Food safety scares became popular with the tainted pet food scare in early 2007 where melamine, a chemical used in plastics and pesticides, was found in a number of pet foods imported from China. Since this incident, other scares have taken place including the contamination of toothpaste, rice snacks, poisonous fish, fake products, and diseased pork. Upon finding a dangerous chemical component of antifreeze, diethylene glycol, in Chinese-made toothpaste, Japan rejected Chinese products, and importers recalled millions of containers of toothpaste.

In retaliation for the US-imposed regulatory crackdown on Chinese exports, China focused on American food imports, and Beijing authorities seized American orange pulp and dried apricots claiming they contained too many preservatives and bacteria.

Amidst all concerns, some experts still insist that China’s food standards meet those of the rest of the world. They also acknowledge that the most common exports, those produced by large companies, are generally safe and have good records as they are concerned with their reputations. Fifteen years ago, according to the VP of Food Science and Nutrition at China Agricultural University, only about 70% of Chinese products met safety standards. Now, about 90% meet the even higher standards of the US.

What is “Malachite Green Chloride?” The article explains that this is a suspected carcinogen that is used as an anti-fungal agent used in fisheries.

Even though the majority of China’s food manufacturers meet safety standards, this is still a scary thought. Formaldehyde, carcinogens, and antifreeze ingredients in food? In candy consumed by children? Just the possibility of these slipping onto store shelves should encourage strong regulations. The article does not address this, but I am pretty sure that many imports are inspected when they enter US ports. However, it is good to know that many of the problems come from the smaller exporter.

Unfortunately, America does not have an excess of funds and it would be difficult to enforce and implement significantly stronger regulations on imports to US. However, as consumers, I think we would reduce the possibility of consuming toxins by buying organic food. This would also support local growers, eventually making organic food cheaper and more readily-available.

Landsberg, Mitchell. “TRADE; China revs up food inspections; A crackdown finds potentially toxic ingredients. Publicity may be meant for foreign consumption.” Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2007. C 1.