Exports from a Shanghai-based food producer has been suspended
as of Thursday after Hong Kong hygiene authority detected chemical
contents in its canned meat.
Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau on Thursday
ordered an export suspension of all food products, including canned
meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, from Shanghai Maling Aquarius
Co. Ltd., a listing company on the Shanghai Bourse.
In order to ensure food safety, exports must be suspended and
the company must recall all canned meat before the investigation is
finished, the bureau ordered.
The Food and Environment Hygiene Department of Hong Kong
announced on Monday that low level of nitrofurans metabolite has
been found in a kind of less sodium pork luncheon canned meat made
by Maling. The amount detected is 0.0022 ppm, the department said
on its official website.
Nitrofurans is a kind of drug derived from furan that are used
to inhibit bacterial growth. Frequently taking nitrofurans is
poisonous and might even cause cancer or death.
Maling has won many domestic and international awards for a
number of its food products including canned meat and sticky rice.
More than 50 percent of its products have sold well in many
countries in Asia and Europe.
Phone calls to the Shanghai firm for a comment were not answered
Thursday evening.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2007)
