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BEIJING - China has suspended the imports of frozen chicken feet, pig ears and other animal parts from 10 companies in the US, Vietnam and the Philippines after inspectors found traces of chemicals and dangerous bacteria.
The action against eight US food firms, one Vietnamese and one Philippine company was taken after traces of arsenic and salmonella were found, according to a government notice posted late Friday.
The affected companies included two of the United States largest food producers, Tyson and a Cargill subsidiary, as well as Vietnam's Nachimex and the Philippines' Iexco.
The notice did not say how long the suspensions would last, but ordered the firms to immediately report to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
China's safety standards have come under sharp international criticism amid regular reports of fake, shoddy or dangerous goods emanating from the nation's chaotic and corrupt food and drug industry.
Reports in the United States of tainted pet foods, dangerous toys, drugs, fish, cosmetics and other products from China have led to a spate of recalls and bans there.
Chinese officials have blamed foreign media for exaggerating the issue but have also admitted there is a serious problem with food hygiene and safety standards in the nation of 1.3 billion people.
Toxic seafood, virus-plagued pigs and chemical-laden toothpaste are just some of the problems to have hit headlines around the world in recent months.
China this week executed the former head of its food and drug safety watchdog for corruption, in what was widely seen as an attempt by the government to show it is serious about the problem.
Nobody was immediately available to comment at Cargill's Shanghai or Hong Kong office. Neither were officials from Tyson. - AFP/ir
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