Industry and commerce authorities across the country are aiming to rectify the production, processing and sales of meat products.

The State General Administration for Industry and Commerce, which has made the requirement of its branches, expects that water-inflated and disease-infected meat will consequently be driven out of markets.

Complaints about water-inflated meat have risen sharply among consumers lately. Some dealers put water into pork or beef to add weight to their products. This brings additional profits for them but swindles consumers.

According to standards set by quality inspection authorities, if a meat product has a water content above 23 percent, it has clearly been filled with water.

However, it is hard for ordinary consumers to tell water-inflated meats from normal meats since there is little difference between them in appearance.

Industry and commerce authorities have been urged to close down slaughter houses and meat product dealers without licenses.

Meat products which do not meet quarantine standards will be banned from sale with sellers likely to face punishment.

The State General Administration for Industry and Commerce will send working groups to supervise the overhaul.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has said it will initiate another crackdown on the practice of feeding livestocks a chemical which stimulates the growth of lean meet.

It is feared the chemical, Clen-buterol, could harm human health.

There have been cases recorded of food poisoning caused by Clen-buterol.

The MOA said it would boost tests of feed lots and slaughterhouses. Even internal organs and urine will be tested.

While industry and commerce and agricultural authorities are striving to eliminate harmful meat products from domestic markets, quarantine authorities are also trying to ensure that no such products are exported.

According to the State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine, between January and May this year, China exported a total of 833,000 tons of pork, beef, poultry meat and aquatic products, worth US$1.28 billion, to 40 countries and regions.

All the meat products have passed strict quarantine regulations, according to the administration.

(China Daily 08/08/2001)