Shanghai gov't steps up checks for toxic Taiwanese food imports
Beijing. May 27. INTERFAX-CHINA - The Shanghai municipal government is checking the local market for Taiwanese food imports that may contain a toxic substance, state media reported May 27.
The inspections come after Yu Shen Chemical Co. Ltd., a Taiwanese food additive supplier, was found to be mixing bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) into a thickening agent over the past five years to reduce production costs, according to an official Xinhua news agency report.
Long-term ingestion of DEHP - a softening compound - can damage the liver and kidneys, retard sexual development and possibly cause cancer.
Taiwanese authorities have recalled more than 460,000 beverages and some 20 tons of jam and yoghurt powder, the Xinhua report said.
Shanghai-based Shunda Food Seasoning Co. Ltd. (Shunda Food) also used additives from Yu Shen Chemical, the report added, citing Taiwan's Department of Health.
A Shunda Food representative, who declined to be named, denied the report when contacted by Interfax on May 27.
Jiefang Daily reported May 26 that the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau will inspect Taiwanese food imports for DEHP, while the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Industrial and Business Administration will check local businesses for products linked to the scandal.
- LYB