Had a Chinese Burn?

[dieseltaylor]

Yet again the Chinese surpass peoples expectations:

Burned through clothes

Up to 100,000 of the sofas were sold with "highly sensitising" fungicidal chemical dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inside.

The substance was designed to stop the furniture, manufactured by Chinese companies Linkwise and Eurosofa, going mouldy in storage.

When the sofas went into people's homes the solid sachets turned into gas that burned through clothes and on to skin.

The claimants were said to have suffered severe skin or eye complaints, breathing difficulties or other medical conditions.

Solicitors said the EU had now banned the use of DMF after consumers in at least five European countries suffered skin burns and breathing problems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8644156.stm

[Lt Belenko]

Yet again...in no particular order...

Dog food

Tires

Dry wall

Lead based paint on toys

Juice made with unsafe color additives

Toothpaste - reached Australia and some Central/South American countries

Lead in little girls jewelry

and now...Burned through clothes

Did I leave any out??

Perhaps the SF Bay bridge mid-September 2009 right after the repairs - not proven if it was Chinese steel.

[Stalins Organ]

Melamin in milk....

and for others see this

[Michael Emrys]

I think the West was just a bit hasty in turning to China for so much of its manufactured goods. Clearly China's quality control has a way to go before they consistently come up to Western standards. In many cases, what they turn out is junk and in a few cases, as cited above, dangerous junk.

Michael

[Brian Smith]

Interestingly, the Chinese Burn is known as the "policeman's glove" in Hungary! Great name which must represent an intriguing relationship between school children and the Hungarian authorities.

[dieseltaylor]

I did wonder if the term travelled! You persuaded me to look it up!

Indian/Chinese burn

Known primarily as an "Indian burn" in the USA or "Chinese burn" in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand (also known as a "snake bite" or "Indian rub" in Canada, an "Indian sunburn" or "Indian rug burn" in the USA, "policeman's glove" in Hungary, "barbed wire" in the Netherlands and "Brennessel" (a local plant, similar to Poison Ivy) in the southern parts of Germany, this is a prank done by grasping the victim's forearm firmly in both hands, and then twisting the hands in opposite directions about the victim's arm, causing the tender skin to stretch making it red and sore.[1]

[dieseltaylor]

WOw this is just the food side of things. What I would deasrly love to see added is the punishments meted out. The death penalty is a good place to start. Adulterating food becomes more of a risk than reward proposition.

Rather galling is to see a multi-national involved - Heinz.

Food safety incidents in 2003

Poisonous Jinhua ham

In 2003, several small producers of Jinhua hams operated out of season and produced hams during warmer months, treating their hams with pesticides to prevent spoilage and insect infestation.[1] The hams were soaked in the pesticide Dichlorvos, which is a volatile organophosphate insecticide used for fumigation.[2]

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2004

Counterfeit baby formula

In April 2004, at least 13 babies in Fuyang, Anhui and 50-60 more in the rural areas of the Anhui province died of malnourishment from ingesting fake milk powder. 100-200 other babies in Anhui Province suffered malnutrition but survived. Local officials in Fuyang arrested 47 people who were responsible for making and selling the fake formula and investigators discovered 45 types of substandard formula for sale in Fuyang markets. Over 141 factories were responsible for the production of the formula and Chinese officials seized 2,540 bags of fake formula by mid-April. The State Food and Drug Administration ordered an investigation in May, 2004.

The babies suffered from "big head disease" according to Chinese doctors. Within three days of ingesting the formula, the babies' heads swelled while their bodies became thinner from malnourishment. The fake formulas were tested to have only 1-6% protein when the national requirement was 10% protein. The government promised to compensate families and help cover medical bills. Most of the victims were rural families.[3][4][5]

Contaminated Longkou noodles

Main article: Cellophane noodles#Health concerns

In 2004, testing by Chinese authorities determined that some brands of cellophane noodles produced in Yantai, Shandong were contaminated with lead. It emerged that several unscrupulous companies had been making their noodles from cornstarch instead of mung beans in order to save costs, and, to make the cornstarch transparent, were adding lead-based whiteners to their noodles.[6] In December 2006, Beijing authorities again inspected cellophane noodles produced by the Yantai Deshengda Longkou Vermicelli Co. Ltd.

[7] in Siduitou village, Zhangxing town, Zhaoyuan City, Yantai, this time determining that sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic industrial bleach which is an illegal food additive in China, had been used in the production of the noodles. The company, which formerly sold its noodles both in China as well as overseas, was ordered to cease production and distribution.[8][9][10][11] The company's website

has since been shut down. Adulterated pickled vegetables

In June 2004, the Chengdu Quality Inspection Department released figures that only about 23% of all pickled vegetables produced in Chengdu had an acceptable amount of chemical additives. The labels on the pickled vegetables that was supposed to indicate the chemical content were also found to be inaccurate. In Sichuan, the factories had been using industrial-grade salt to pickle the vegetables and had been spraying pesticides containing high amounts of DDVP on the pickled vegetables before shipment.[12]

Counterfeit alcoholic drinks

In Spring 2004, four men died of alcohol poisoning in Guangdong Province and eight other men were hospitalized in the People's Hospital of Guangzhou. Wang Funian and Hou Shangjian, both from Taihe Town, died in May after drinking liquor bought from the same vendor. Two other men, one a migrant worker, died the previous night in Zhongluotan in Hunan Province. Authorities in the local health department suspected that the makers of the fake liquor blended industrial alcohol and rice wine, and closed several unlicensed liquor manufacturers.[13]

Soy sauce made from human hair

Stories began circulating in the press about cheap soy sauces made from human hair. These sauces were manufactured in China using a chemical amino acid extraction process similar to artificially hydrolyzed soy sauces and then quietly exported to other countries. An investigative report that aired on Chinese television exposed the unsanitary and potentially contaminated sources of the hair:

“ When asking how the amino acid syrup (or powder) was generated, the manufacturer replied that the powder was generated from human hair. Because the human hair was gathered from salon, barbershop and hospitals around the country, it was unhygienic and mixed with condom, used hospital cottons, used menstrual cycle pad, used syringe, etc.[14] ” In response, the Chinese government banned production of soy sauces made from hair. Other carcinogens remain, see 3-MCPD.

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2005

Sudan I Red Dye

In 1996, China banned food manufacturers from using Sudan I red dye to color their products. China followed a number of other developed nations in banning the dye due to its links to cancer and other negative health effects. However, officials in the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the State Bureau of Industry and Commerce, and the State Food and Drug Administration discovered in 2005 that Sudan I was being used in food in many major Chinese cities. In Beijing, the Heinz Company added the red dye to chili sauce; in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Fuzhou provinces, the red dye was discovered in vegetables and noodles. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) used the red dye in its 1,200 restaurants, and medicine in Shanghai also contained Sudan I.

Companies in China had been using Sudan I illegally for years before 2005, and government officials gave two reasons why the 1996 ban had not been adequately enforced. The first reason was that there were too many agencies overseeing food production, creating loopholes and inefficiency. The second reason was that the government agencies were not equipped or trained with the food testing equipment that could have detected the dye earlier. Officials announced that they would begin to reform the food safety system on national and local levels.[15]

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2006

Counterfeit drugs

The State Food and Drug Administration reported that their officials had resolved 14 cases involving fake drugs and 17 cases involving "health accidents" at drug manufacturing facilities.[16] One of these incidents involved fake Armillarisni A; ten people injected with the fake drug died in May, 2006.[17][18] The drug quality inspectors at the factory that produced the Armillarisni A drugs failed to notice that the chemical diglycol had been added to drugs. In July, 2006, six people died and 80 more became sick after ingesting an antibiotic with disinfectant as an ingredient.[19] In 2006, the government also "revoked the business licenses of 160 drug manufacturers and retailers."[19]

School food poisoning

On September 1, 2006, more than 300 students at Chongzhou City Experimental Primary School in China's Sichuan Province got food poisoning after lunch. Of those, approximately 200 students had to be hospitalized due to headaches, fevers, vomiting, and diarrhea. The school was temporarily closed for an investigation.[20] On the same day, middle school students in China's Liaoning Province also got food poisoning after eating dinner at school. The Ministry of Education ordered an investigation, and officials suspected that the cause of the food poisoning was unsanitary conditions at the schools. During summer vacation, the schools had not been cleaned or disinfected, and the pupils might have been exposed to unsanitary food or drinking water when they returned in September.[21]

Contaminated turbot fish

In late 2006, officials in Shanghai and Beijing discovered illegal amounts of chemicals in turbot. As The Epoch Times explained, "China started importing turbot from Europe in 1992. Currently, China's annual output is 40,000 tons. Since turbot have weak immune systems, some farmers use prohibited drugs to maintain their productivity, as their fish-farming technologies are not sufficient to prevent disease."[22] Shanghai officials from the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration found carcinogenic nitrofuran metabolites in the fish and Beijing found additional drugs, including malachite green, in its fish. Other cities, including Hangzhou, have begun testing turbot fish and banning the turbot shipped from Shandong Province. Many restaurants in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong stopped purchasing turbot after officials discovered the high amounts of illegal antibiotics.[23]

Pesticide residue on vegetables

In early 2006, Greenpeace tested vegetables in two Hong Kong grocery stores, Parknshop and Wellcome, and discovered that over 70% of their samples were covered in pesticide residue. Thirty percent of their vegetable samples exceeded safe levels of pesticides and several tested positive for illegal pesticides, such as DDT, HCH and Lindane. Greenpeace explained that nearly 80% of vegetables in these grocery stores originated from mainland China. John Chapple, manager of Sinoanalytica, a Qingdao-based food analysis laboratory, supplemented Greenpeace's information. He was not surprised by the findings and explained that farmers in China have little knowledge of correct pesticide use.[24]

Although many Chinese farms are converting to organic agriculture, pesticide use in many areas remains high.[25]

Infected snail meat

In June, July, and August 2006, the Shuguo Yanyi Restaurant in Beijing served raw Amazonian snail meat and, as a result, 70 diners were diagnosed with angiostrongylus meningitis. The snail meat contained Angiostrongylus cantonesis, "a parasite that harms people's nervous system" causing headaches, vomiting, stiff necks, and fevers.[26] No one died from the meningitis outbreak and the Beijing Municipal Office of Health inspection did not find any more raw snails in 2,000 other restaurants. However, the Beijing Municipal Office of Health prohibited restaurants from serving raw or half-cooked snails and disciplined the Shuguo Yanyi Restaurant. The Beijing Friendship Hospital, where the first meningitis case was treated, began a program to educate doctors on the treatment of angiostrongylus meningitis. The Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention explained that these meningitis cases were the first outbreaks since the 1980s.[27]

Poisonous mushrooms

In December 2006, sixteen diners were hospitalized after eating a poisonous variety of boletus mushrooms in Beijing at the Dayali Roast Duck Restaurant. The mushrooms caused nausea, vomiting, and dizziness and the ill diners were treated at the Bo'ai Hospital and the 307 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army.[28]

In November 2006, Chinese authorities at the Ministry of Health had warned of the rising number of mushroom poisonings. "From July to September, 31 people were killed and 183 were poisoned by toxic mushrooms."[29] Officials worried that the public could not accurately separate edible mushrooms from poisonous ones.

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2007

Counterfeit drugs

According to John Newton of Interpol, Chinese organized crime is involved in working across national boundaries and faking drugs on an industrial scale, now appearing throughout Africa.[30] China Central Television cited an official saying those making the false albumin were making a 300% profit, assisted by shortages of the genuine product.[31]

Alleged carcinogen used in frying oil

In March 2007, the Guangzhou Information Times accused Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) of adding oil filtering powder, magnesium trisilicate, to its frying oil. It reported that KFC restaurants in several cities in the northwest Shaanxi Province used this chemical so that the frying oil could be used repeatedly for up to ten days. KFC pointed out that the additive is considered safe by United States and international standards, but health officials in Xianyang, Yulin, and Xi'an, all cities in the Shaanxi Province, inspected their local KFCs and confiscated the frying powder. Gaungzhou city officials also began in investigation into the frying oils, and the cities requested that the Ministry of Health step in.[32][33] KFC stated that the oil filtering powder does not caused health problems and meets local and international standards, but local Chinese authorities claimed that reusing the powder decreased its nutritional value and that it was connected to cancer. Magnesium trisilicate is commonly used in medicines such as antacids, and is widely considered to be safe for human consumption with no known connections to cancer.

Contaminated wheat gluten and rice protein used for export

In May 2007, The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) confirmed that two domestic companies had exported melamine-contaminated Wheat Gluten and rice protein blamed for the deaths of dogs and cats in the United States.[34] In August 2007, AQSIQ introduced recall systems for unsafe food products and toys and on December 3, 2007, China ordered 69 categories of products to be bar-coded at factories amid efforts to improve product safety, in response to several recent incidents, including: "scares rang[ing] from ducks and hens that were fed cancer-causing Sudan Red dye to make their egg yolks red, to pet food made of melamine-tainted wheat protein that killed scores of dogs and cats in the United States."[35][36] See also 2007 pet food crisis.

Sewage used in tofu manufacturing

Close to a hundred manufacturers of stinky tofu in Guangdong province were found to use a combination of sewage, slop, and Iron(II) sulfate to accelerate production and improve appearance of their fermented product.[37]

Cardboard bun hoax

Main article: Chinese cardboard bun hoax

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2008

Tainted Chinese dumplings

See also: People's Republic of China – Japan relations

In January 2008, several Japanese people in the Hyōgo and Chiba prefectures fell ill after consuming Chinese-produced jiaozi (pork dumplings) tainted with the insecticide methamidophos.[38][39][40][41][42][43] The dumplings had been produced by the Tianyang Food Plant in Hebei Province[44] and sold by JT Foods and the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union. Kyodo News reported that about 500 people complained of agonies.[45] On February 5, 2008, Hyōgo and Chiba prefectural police announced that they were treating these cases as attempted murder.[46] and both prefectural police departments established a joint investigation team.

When Japanese police and other prefectural authorities inspected the recalled dumplings, they found pesticides other than methamidophos, including Dichlorvos and Parathion.[47][48][49][50] The Japanese National Police Agency found these toxins in packages that were completely sealed,[51][52] concluding that it would have been nearly impossible to insert such toxins into the packages from the outside.[53] They provided the test results to the Ministry of Public Security of China (MPS).[54]

Investigations jointly held by both the Chinese and Japanese governments cleared the Chinese company of responsibility after finding no traces of any poison in the raw material used nor in the factory.[55][56] Officials are now treating this incident as a deliberate poisoning, and an investigation is underway.[57] On February 28, 2008 the MPS criminal investigation bureau announced that there was little chance that methamidophos had been put into the dumplings in China, and declared that the Japanese police had rejected the requirement by the MPS to check the scene, relative material evidences, and test reports, thus information on the evidence was not fully provided to the MPS.[58] On the same day, Hiroto Yoshimura, the Comissionor-General of Japan's National Police Agency, argued against the Chinese authorities that the Japanese had already offered test results and photographic evidence and claimed that some part of China's assertion "cannot be overlooked".[59][60] They asked Chinese authorities to offer evidence.[61]

On August 5, 2008, Japanese media revealed that some Chinese people who had eaten the recalled Chinese dumplings made by Tianyang Food had also become sick after the incident in Japan, in mid-June 2008; the cause was again found to have been methamidophos contamination.[62][63][64][65][66] The Chinese government alerted the Japanese government to this fact just before the 34th G8 summit in July 2008. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that this incident has increased the suspicion of foods produced in China.[67]

Contaminated powdered ginger

In July 2008, it was announced that the Whole Foods supermarket chain in the United States had been selling powdered ginger produced in China, which was labeled as organic food, but when tested was found to contain the banned pesticide Aldicarb.[68][69][70] The ginger had been mistakenly certified organic by Quality Assurance International, who relied on two Chinese certifiers because, under Chinese law, foreigners may not inspect Chinese farms.[71]

Contaminated baby formula

Main article: 2008 Chinese milk scandal

In September 2008, a fresh outbreak of kidney disease occurred, due to baby formula contaminated by melamine. Six babies died and 294,000 were made sick by the tainted formula with 51,900 requiring hospitalization.[72][73] The supplier of the milk, Sanlu Group, is a name brand and is a major player in the industry in China. The company is said to have known of the problem for months, but claims the contaminant came from milk suppliers.[74][75]

Contaminated egg products

In October 2008 news emerged certain egg products produced by Hanwei Group were also contaminated with melamine.[citation needed]

[edit] Food safety incidents in 2009

Plastic tapioca pearls Tapioca pearls used for bubble tea was adulterated with macromolecular polymers to improve their texture.[76]

Pesticide in mantou To improve the chewiness and texture of the mantou (steamed buns) the pesticide Dichlorvos was added. In addition, sulphur was used to whiten the buns to improve their physical appearance.[77]

Goat urine duck meat Businesses in Qingdao have been caught marinating duck meat in goat or sheep urine to give the duck with the smell and taste of lamb. The duck is then sold as lamb to customers.[78]

Formaldehyde blood pudding Wuhan inspectors discovered that most of the pork blood pudding in Chinese markets contain little actual blood，but is manufactured with formaldehyde, corn starch, industrial grade salt, in addition to artificial food colouring.[79]

[Lt Belenko]

Makes me want to order pizza tonight instead of Chinese.

[Stalins Organ]

Ever tried Chinese Pizza?

[Michael Emrys]

Ever tried Chinese Pizza?

This healthy Chinese pizza recipe is made with a soymilk dough and includes vegetarian and meat toppings. The vegetarian version is loaded with vegetables, including water chestnuts, snow peas and peppers, while the meat version includes duck and barbecued pork. Both are flavored with sweet and spicy hoisin sauce.

That might actually be okay if done right. I don't think I'd call it pizza though. Pizza as I understand it, is a sacred combination of crust, tomato sauce, meats, veggies, and cheese flavored with spices that are of a distinctly Italian character. Calling anything else by that name can only lead to confusion, disappointment, and possible violence.

Michael

[Stalins Organ]

Lest we think that it is only China that can have production problems - Johnson & Johnson have had to recall 43 over-the-counter children's medicines produced in the USA

[Michael Emrys]

Lest we think that it is only China that can have production problems...

Unfortunately all too true. Manufacturers in the US have always cut corners when they thought they could get away with it, the Ford Pinto being an outstanding example. This is why consumer protection regulatory agencies were instituted in the first place and why it has been so infuriating to watch succeeding administrations tie their hands and pull their teeth over the last thirty years.

Michael