November 14, 2007

Beijing Shunxin strengthens its bid to be Olympic pork supplier

Beijing Shunxin Agriculture Co, which supplies 40 percent of the capital's pork, was eager to show the world that its meat would be safe for consumption for the general public, not just for the Olympics next year.

The company was seen as a candidate to supply pork for the games. 

The company's Pengcheng Food Branch invited reporters to demonstrate how it processes its pork carcasses at the opening of its new slaughterhouse, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported Monday (November 14, 2007)

The company's pork carcasses go through 18 procedures before being packed and sent to supermarkets, said Yang Wenke, general manager of Pengcheng.

The slaughterhouse, which kills 8,000 to 10,000 pigs daily, has 24 quarantine inspectors working each shift.

Pengcheng may be a second pork supplier for next year's Olympic games in Beijing. The company has assured media it has not made any special arrangements for the meat athletes will eat.

The Games' organizing committee last week denied media reports that Qianxihe, the official supplier, fed its pigs special herbal medicines and exercises its pigs outdoors to ensure top quality pork for the event.