China rejects ‘contaminated’ US products

China has suspended the import of chicken feet and various other poultry and animal products from several major US companies, including the world’s largest meat processor. It is believed that this is an attempt to turn the tables on American complaints about tainted products from China.

According to a list posted on the website of China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the American meat had contaminants including salmonella, feed additives and veterinary drugs.

The reports cited the following:

• frozen chicken meat from Tyson Foods Inc. for salmonella
• frozen pork ribs from Cargill Inc.’s Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. for a leanness-enhancing feed additive
• frozen chicken feet from Sanderson Farms Inc. for growth enhancers and anti-parasite drugs
• salted pig innards from Triumph Foods
• frozen chicken feet from Intervision Foods for salmonella
• frozen pig ears from Van Luin Food USA for the leanness-enhancing feed additive ractopamine
• frozen pork distributed by AJC International Inc. for ractopamine

The US and other countries have cracked down on Chinese products since the US Food and Drug Administration found in April that North American dogs and cats were poisoned by tainted Chinese pet food ingredients.

Since then, a growing number of Chinese products have been found to be tainted with potentially toxic chemicals and other adulterants.

Libby Lawson, a spokeswoman for Tyson Foods, said the company knew nothing about any tainted product.