Pressures grow to ban Chinese food imports

After a series of reports on tainted food and other products from China, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee suggested that the Bush administration should consider banning food imports from China if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot ensure their safety. A letter to the FDA from four Democrats cataloged recent problems with Chinese food imports and asked for information on the issue for the last six years. They added that if the agency cannot ensure the imports’ safety, the administration “should consider a complete ban of all food imports from China until such time that FDA can assure the American consumer of the safety of these imports.”

Tainted food from China is increasing as a problem, they said, citing as examples “mislabeled wheat flour contaminated with melamine, filthy juices and fruits, dried apples preserved with a carcinogen and mushrooms laced with illegal pesticides.” The committee members particularly cited concerns about the safety of fish and seafood from China, such as catfish containing banned antibiotics. Tainted pet food has caused at least sixteen pet deaths and thousands of dog and cat illnesses, and the FDA last week warned consumers against using Chinese toothpaste after finding tubes contaminated with a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluid. Other countries also have taken action against the imports, including Singapore, which has banned three types of Chinese toothpaste.

China this week released food and drug safety goals for the next five years, promising stronger surveillance and export controls. Officials outlined measures that need to be imposed, including better inspections, more testing and greater cooperation with the United States. They also called for better law enforcement.