August 22, 2007

China accuses US of substandard soy exports

China's food safety watchdog has accused the United States of shipping poor quality soybeans to the country and urged American authorities to take "effective measures" immediately.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Wednesday (August 22) said "harmful weeds and contaminated dirt have been found among the beans which could threaten China's agricultural and forestry production as well as ecological safety." The weeds may contain chemicals which may harm animals and humans, it added.

The group claimed a US soy cargo imported in February was found to contain red beans and two types of pesticides that "constituted a great threat to Chinese consumers".

The group also said US soybeans also fell short of protein or oil content which indicates US soy exports to China have "gaps in terms of planting, harvesting, storage, transportation and export supervision."

The situation will push China to intensify its soy imports to ensure the quality and safety of the beans, it said.