Reuters AlertNet Lite - China says stepping up checks on food exports

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China says stepping up checks on food exports

25 May 2007 10:14:57 GMT
Source: Reuters

BEIJING, May 25 (Reuters) - China's customs authorities have begun checking food exports, like some proteins and glycerine which is used in toothpaste, after a series of health scares abroad involving tainted Chinese-made products.

U.S. consumers have been alarmed by a spate of pet deaths blamed on tainted wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China, as well as reports of toxins in other Chinese exports.

Panama and the Dominican Republic have pulled thousands of tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste from stores after tests showed they contained high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in engine coolants.

The toothpaste was supposed to contain glycerine.

Companies are now required to tell Chinese customs when they export or import glycerine, and have it inspected, according to a notice published on the customs Web site (www.customs.gov.cn) on Friday.

Five proteins, including casein which is used as a food binding agent, are also on the list, as are citric and tartaric acid, other widely used food additives, molasses, maple syrup and even ginger biscuits.

The rules have been effective since May 15, according to the notice.

It is not clear why the notice was only just made public. Calls to the customs spokesman's office were not immediately answered.

China is under intense international scrutiny after a spate of safety breaches that have resulted in recalls and government probes.

Food safety has become an increasingly high-profile issue between the United State and China, especially since melamine, a chemical used in plastics and fertilisers, surfaced in U.S. pet food this year, killing animals and prompting wide recalls.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it would begin inspecting all imports of Chinese toothpaste as U.S. officials bought up their concerns with their Chinese counterparts at economic talks in Washington.

In China's latest step to tighten controls, Beijing said it would strengthen oversight of food products entering the city.

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Last updated:Fri May 25 10:16:56 2007