April 5, 2011

Shuanghui group apologises for tainted pork

Shuanghui Group, China's top meat processor, apologised last week for using clenbuterol tainted pork and acknowledged a substantial loss.

Wan Long, chairman of the board at Shuanghui Group, made an apology to consumers on behalf of the company at a conference attended by all management team members, headquarters' staff, dealers and media.

This is the second time the company apologised after it was exposed using clenbuterol added pork in its meat products.

Clenbuterol is banned as an additive in pig feed in China because it can end up in the flesh of pigs and is poisonous to humans if injected.

Wan announced six measures to prevent such an event from happening again, including strengthening security monitoring and supervision, introducing third-party inspections and improving its industrial chain.

The company has suffered a food security crisis since Jiyuan Shuanghui, a subsidiary company of Shuagnhui Group, was disclosed to have used clenbuterol added to pork by China Central Television (CCTV) on March 15.

More than CNY12.1 billion (US$1.85 billion) calculable loss has been reported with its brand reputation seriously damaged.