August 21, 2007

China wants to be proven guilty before lifting ban on Indonesian seafood

China said it would lift its ban on Indonesian seafood if the latter can prove that candies it said was contaminated with formalin were in fact produced in China. 

The Indonesian authorities should also undertake reinvestigations into these candies, economic and business advisor at the Chinese embassy Fang Qiuchang said.

China would allow imports of Indonesian seafood provided the two conditions above were met, Fang said. He also added that China did not ban Indonesian seafood merely in retaliation for Indonesia tarnishing its image.

China had rejected entry of Indonesian seafood and beverage products for alleged contents of mercury and other chemicals.

Formalin is a saturated solution of formaldehyde, water and methanol. Although it is used as a preservative meant it can be retained in the body. Formaldehyde in higher concentrations can be toxic, carcinogenic and allergenic. 

China has been dealing with problems with its exports in recent months, with everything from pet food to toothpaste, tyres and seafood.

Investigations conducted by the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia found that none of the formalin contaminated products were produced in China as the Indonesia drug and food supervisory agency (BPOM) earlier claimed. Most of the products were produced in Indonesia itself and Taiwan.

Indonesia launched raids in early August and found many candy and cosmetics products with Chinese brands contaminated by formalin. Among the products found with formalin was Unilever's shampoos, cosmetics and toothpaste. The UK company has clarified that it is standard practice for the industry to use minute amounts in such products.