Ministry defends new food rule
Source: Xinhua |
November 25, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IN response to public suspicion stoked by recent dumpling contamination scandals in China, the Ministry of Health said yesterday that a new food safety standard for flash-frozen dumplings did not show signs of leniency.
The ministry introduced the new food safety standard on flash-frozen dough or rice products yesterday.
It has been accused of loosening scrutiny over a disease-generating bacteria in such foods, staphylococcus aureus, or golden staph, which can cause various diseases, including pneumonia and sepsis, and is sometimes life-threatening. The controversy became particularly relevant after several major brands of frozen dumplings were recalled over recent months.
In October, a Henan-based company, Zhengzhou Synear Food Co Ltd, confirmed the presence of golden staph in its flash-frozen seafood and pork-stuffed dumplings.
Frozen dumplings made by Hong Kong-based business Wanchai Ferry were found to contain golden staph this month, and some of its products have been pulled from shelves.
The previous standard provided that no golden staph should be present in such food, while the new one gives a quantitative restriction on the volume of the bacteria.
Liu Xiumei, a food safety expert with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the press conference held by the health ministry that such bacteria becomes inactivate after the food is boiled for a few seconds.
The previous standard could only serve as a general provision due to the lack of quantitative microbiological testing back when it was introduced, Liu said, stressing that the new standard is not a sign that the ministry has gone soft on bacterial contamination of relevant foods.
The new standard will come into effect from December 21.
On Wednesday, the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau said it had inspected frozen dumpling products sold in local markets, and found 15 batches with quality problems.
Included were Wanchai Ferry pork and Chinese cabbage frozen dumpings sold at E-Mart's Ruihong branch that were found to contain golden staph.
The ministry introduced the new food safety standard on flash-frozen dough or rice products yesterday.
It has been accused of loosening scrutiny over a disease-generating bacteria in such foods, staphylococcus aureus, or golden staph, which can cause various diseases, including pneumonia and sepsis, and is sometimes life-threatening. The controversy became particularly relevant after several major brands of frozen dumplings were recalled over recent months.
In October, a Henan-based company, Zhengzhou Synear Food Co Ltd, confirmed the presence of golden staph in its flash-frozen seafood and pork-stuffed dumplings.
Frozen dumplings made by Hong Kong-based business Wanchai Ferry were found to contain golden staph this month, and some of its products have been pulled from shelves.
The previous standard provided that no golden staph should be present in such food, while the new one gives a quantitative restriction on the volume of the bacteria.
Liu Xiumei, a food safety expert with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the press conference held by the health ministry that such bacteria becomes inactivate after the food is boiled for a few seconds.
The previous standard could only serve as a general provision due to the lack of quantitative microbiological testing back when it was introduced, Liu said, stressing that the new standard is not a sign that the ministry has gone soft on bacterial contamination of relevant foods.
The new standard will come into effect from December 21.
On Wednesday, the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau said it had inspected frozen dumpling products sold in local markets, and found 15 batches with quality problems.
Included were Wanchai Ferry pork and Chinese cabbage frozen dumpings sold at E-Mart's Ruihong branch that were found to contain golden staph.
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