September 17, 2007

China turns back tainted US and Canadian pork shipments

China's quality control authorities last week turned back two pork shipments from US and Canada, citing the discovery of the residue of the banned drug ractopamine.

Ractopamine residue was found in frozen pig kidney imported from the US and frozen pork spareribs from Canada, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

Ractopamine is forbidden for use in China, the EU, and much of the world, even though it is approved for use in animal medicine in the US, Canada and a group of producer countries.

The 18.37 tonnes of frozen pork kidney and 24 tonnes of frozen pork chop were imported through the Panyu port in South China's Guangdong Province.

The local quarantine authority of Guangdong Province has returned the goods to exporters. Authorities had found ractopamine residue in ten batches of pork products from the US and one from Canada by the end of August.

Ractopamine promotes the growth of pigs and ruminants and help them grow more lean meat.

China this year suspended shipments of animal products from seven US companies after the meat was found contaminated with salmonella and veterinary drugs.

US trade authorities are meeting with their Chinese counterparts to work out agreements on food safety issues and standards this month.

Ractopamine presence in imported meat has also caused Taiwan to turn back US pork shipments although the legislature is passing laws which might allow future imports.