Couple to stand trial over toxic pig heads
By Li Qian |
July 11, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A COUPLE accused of processing pig heads with a carcinogenic substance and selling 50 tons of toxic products in seven months are to stand trial in Zhenjiang, in Jiangsu Province.
It is claimed that the couple used industrial rosin to remove hair from pig heads to cut costs. Industrial rosin costs 12 yuan (US$1.96) per kilogram - 3 yuan lower than for edible rosin.
Police say the couple turned out nearly 75 tons of toxic pig head products in their unlicensed workshop between July 2012 and February, with 50 tons sold at local wholesale markets and restaurants.
The couple earned 290,000 yuan from the enterprise, Legal Daily reported yesterday.
The industrial rosin they used contains high levels of lead. It is harmful to the kidneys and liver, and can cause cancer.
The couple soaked the pig heads in a pot of industrial rosin heated to a high temperature. The heads were then put on the ground and cooled with river water, solidifying the rosin, the report said.
Each batch of rosin was used two to three times.
"The ground where the heads were piled wasn't clean, and workers didn't have uniforms or sanitation certificates," said prosecutor Qin Biao.
The couple, from rural Jiangsu, came up with the idea of processing pig heads after their roast duck restaurant went bankrupt. They found an abandoned house in suburban Zhenjiang and started the business, the report said.
Authorities found the toxic products on sale in February.
The couple are being charged with producing and selling toxic food.
It is claimed that the couple used industrial rosin to remove hair from pig heads to cut costs. Industrial rosin costs 12 yuan (US$1.96) per kilogram - 3 yuan lower than for edible rosin.
Police say the couple turned out nearly 75 tons of toxic pig head products in their unlicensed workshop between July 2012 and February, with 50 tons sold at local wholesale markets and restaurants.
The couple earned 290,000 yuan from the enterprise, Legal Daily reported yesterday.
The industrial rosin they used contains high levels of lead. It is harmful to the kidneys and liver, and can cause cancer.
The couple soaked the pig heads in a pot of industrial rosin heated to a high temperature. The heads were then put on the ground and cooled with river water, solidifying the rosin, the report said.
Each batch of rosin was used two to three times.
"The ground where the heads were piled wasn't clean, and workers didn't have uniforms or sanitation certificates," said prosecutor Qin Biao.
The couple, from rural Jiangsu, came up with the idea of processing pig heads after their roast duck restaurant went bankrupt. They found an abandoned house in suburban Zhenjiang and started the business, the report said.
Authorities found the toxic products on sale in February.
The couple are being charged with producing and selling toxic food.
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