Firms charged on 'toxic' pet food-news.bbc
 

Two Chinese companies and an American food products importer have been indicted in the US for their alleged role in a tainted pet food scandal.

Prosecutors allege thousands of cats and dogs across the US died last year after traces of toxic chemical melamine were found in 150 brands of pet food.

They claim the contamination was traced to wheat protein imported from China by Las Vegas-based Chemnutra.

Chemnutra said it denied "any intent to defraud or knowledge of wrongdoing".

'Death or injury'

The two Chinese companies indicted are Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products Arts and Crafts Bosses at the two firms, and the owners of Chemnutra, have also been charged individually.

Prosecutors say the affected animals died as a result of kidney failure.

"In today's global economy, crimes that occur halfway around the world can seriously impact our lives," said US Attorney John Wood.

Chemnutra said in a statement that prosecutors do not allege that its owners, Sally and Stephen Miller, "knew of the presence of melamine or any other substance that would cause death or injury to animals".

"The Millers unequivocally support the government pursuing those with knowledge of the dangerous contaminants," it added.

"However, they are deeply bothered by the government's failure to make these important distinctions in its press release related to their indictment."

Wider Chinese scares

Melamine is used to create plastics, fertilisers and cleaning products.

It has no approved use as an ingredient in either human or animal food in the US.

The issue is one of a number of health scares to hit Chinese exports last year.

Products, from Chinese-made tinned meat to toothpaste and children's toys, have also had to be removed from shelves in the US and around the world.

While the Chinese government has vowed to improve health and safety standards, only last week at least 10 people in Japan needed medical treatment after they were taken ill after eating Chinese-made dumplings.

Re: Firms charged on 'toxic' pet food-news.bbc
 

I've imposed self-ban by refraining to buy any china produced food stuff as china has a long history of producing killer food stuff.

They had those killer diet pills, toxic tainted food, fake medicine and etc...

The recent melamine scandal is just another skeleton in the dirty closet...

Items such as fake eggs, fake "Mun" fish and industrial dye tainted vegetables have yet to attract enough attention to our health ministers yet...

Other non food products such as their killer electronic products have yet to be mentioned...

Save lives, refrain from buying china goods!

Re: Firms charged on 'toxic' pet food-news.bbc
 

Yes, that is indeed a problem especially with China companies that used to be state-run and with close political connections. They get to keep a closed eye on many issues that endanger the community, banking on the ignorance of the consumers until something goes wrong.

Good that these matters have surfaced, now with the world eyeing on them and with a huge portion of their GDP depending on exports, I'm sure they will buck up and impose much more stringent criteria on quality control, weeding out the black sheeps along the way.

I believe many of the companies there will experience a jump in production cost (and subsequently, product price) as they reluctantly locate the problematic processes and revamp them to meet security and safety guidelines.

Re: Firms charged on 'toxic' pet food-news.bbc
 

Good that this issue has surfaced, this will put more spotlight over China, as one of the most powerful country in the world, China is certainly and have always been overlook-ing the small small matters that makes a nation counts {mhmph} hopefully this will be a lesson for them to learn......hopefully...... {msure}

Re: Firms charged on 'toxic' pet food-news.bbc
 

The bottom line is, china will never learn lar...
They will be more careful not to get caught next time...