Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.4
Food imports denied by the FDA, selected countries, July 2006-June 2007
Total value of
food imports,
2006
Number of refused
food shipments
Most frequent food
violation and counts
Mexico
1,480
Filth (mostly on candy,
chiles, juice, seafood)—
385
$9.8 billion
India
1,763
Salmonella (spices,
seeds, shrimp)—256
1.2
China
(excluding
Hong Kong)
1,368
Filth (produce, seafood,
bean curd, noodles)—
287
3.8
Dominican
Republic
828
Pesticide (produce)—
789
0.3
Vietnam
533
Salmonella (seafood,
black pepper)—118
1.1
Indonesia
460
Filth (seafood, crackers,
candy)—122
1.5
Japan
508
Missing documentation
(drinks, soups, beans)—
143
0.5
Italy
482
Missing documentation
(beans, jarred foods)—
138
2.9
Denmark
543
Problems with nutrition
label (candy)—85
0.4
Source
: A. Martin and G. Palmer, “China Not Sole Source of Dubious Food,”
New York Times,
July 12, 2007.
Filth and unsafe additives were the chief reasons for FDA refusal to
accept China's products, with labeling problems and veterinary drug
residues third and fourth, respectively. The main problems from other
nations are labeling and lack of needed registrations rather than health
reasons. Addressing the safety risks from Chinese food imports is diffi cult
because of the vast array of products from China and its weak enforce-
ment of food safety standards, heavy use of agricultural chemicals, and
considerable environmental pollution.
Former FDA commissioner William Hubbard noted, “The public
thinks the food supply is much more protected than it is. If people really
knew how weak the FDA program is, they would be shocked.” In refer-
ence to imported food, he said, “The word is out. If you send a problem
