Pork seized, tested for injection
By Lu Feiran |
February 15, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SONGJIANG District authorities yesterday seized more than 200 kilograms of pork thought to be injected with water. The pork is under detailed quality testing, said the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau's Songjiang branch.
A consumer surnamed Zhu, who lives in the Jiuting area of the district, complained that he bought 5 kilograms of pork from a wet market. Two days later, he found that a lot of water had oozed from the pork. Zhu collected the water, which filled two big basins.
He went to the same vendor again, trying to test the pork by himself and then called the bureau. The bureau inspected all eight pork vendors at the market, among which pork provided by two was questioned. Tests showed that the pork was very likely water-injected. Officials seized all the pork from the two vendors, after about 20 kilograms had been sold.
The bureau noted that water-injected pork contains chemicals which are toxic to the human body. Injecting water into meat - beef or pork - is done to increase its weight. Usually water is injected into the animals through their carotid artery or even heart before slaughter.
But it does more than cheat the customer on weight. The water slows down the movement of animals' stomachs, resulting in the food residue remaining in the stomach and letting out harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and cresol.
Additionally, some processors may use dirty or polluted water to inject into animals, which will cause hygienic problems, officials said.
Water-injected meat has been a long-time food-safety issue in China. In January, neighboring Jiangsu Province seized more than 300 kilograms of water-injected meat.
Bureau officials are still investigating the case. Under city law, all venders must ask for supplier's certificate and keep the invoice from them, making it easy for authorities to trace back and find the source of any questioned food.
A consumer surnamed Zhu, who lives in the Jiuting area of the district, complained that he bought 5 kilograms of pork from a wet market. Two days later, he found that a lot of water had oozed from the pork. Zhu collected the water, which filled two big basins.
He went to the same vendor again, trying to test the pork by himself and then called the bureau. The bureau inspected all eight pork vendors at the market, among which pork provided by two was questioned. Tests showed that the pork was very likely water-injected. Officials seized all the pork from the two vendors, after about 20 kilograms had been sold.
The bureau noted that water-injected pork contains chemicals which are toxic to the human body. Injecting water into meat - beef or pork - is done to increase its weight. Usually water is injected into the animals through their carotid artery or even heart before slaughter.
But it does more than cheat the customer on weight. The water slows down the movement of animals' stomachs, resulting in the food residue remaining in the stomach and letting out harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and cresol.
Additionally, some processors may use dirty or polluted water to inject into animals, which will cause hygienic problems, officials said.
Water-injected meat has been a long-time food-safety issue in China. In January, neighboring Jiangsu Province seized more than 300 kilograms of water-injected meat.
Bureau officials are still investigating the case. Under city law, all venders must ask for supplier's certificate and keep the invoice from them, making it easy for authorities to trace back and find the source of any questioned food.
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