US blocks import of 5 species of farm fish from China
The United States has blocked import of five species of farm fish from China, citing repeated instances of contamination with unapproved medications and food additives.
By PTI |
NEW YORK: The United States has blocked import of five species of farm fish from China, citing repeated instances of contamination with unapproved medications and food additives.
The species include catfish, eel, shrimp, basa and dace which, regulators say, were repeatedly found to contain excessive amount of antimicrobials nitrofuran, malachite green, gentian violet and fluoroquinolones. All these drugs are not approved by the United States food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Some of these chemicals were found to cause cancers in animals," experts say.
Analysts say that the United States had imported fish worth about $ 1.9 billion in 2006, a 193 per cent increase over 2001 and latest FDA action would mean a major set back for Chinese exporters.
The biggest American imports from China, according to New York Times, are shrimp, tilapia, scallops, cod and Pollock and only shrimp was affected by order.
The blocking of fish imports comes within months of pet food made with raw material imported from China being found to be contaminated.
Then the officials asked people to discard toothpastes made in China after some brands were found to contain antifreeze and later Chinese-made toys were recalled after it was found the paint on them contained lead.Besides, Chinese made tyres are causing safety concerns.
"FDA is initiating an import alert against several species of imported Chinese farmed seafood because of numerous cases of contamination with drugs and unsafe food additives," said David Acheson, the agency's assistant commissioner for food protection.
The species include catfish, eel, shrimp, basa and dace which, regulators say, were repeatedly found to contain excessive amount of antimicrobials nitrofuran, malachite green, gentian violet and fluoroquinolones. All these drugs are not approved by the United States food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Some of these chemicals were found to cause cancers in animals," experts say.
Analysts say that the United States had imported fish worth about $ 1.9 billion in 2006, a 193 per cent increase over 2001 and latest FDA action would mean a major set back for Chinese exporters.
The biggest American imports from China, according to New York Times, are shrimp, tilapia, scallops, cod and Pollock and only shrimp was affected by order.
The blocking of fish imports comes within months of pet food made with raw material imported from China being found to be contaminated.
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Then the officials asked people to discard toothpastes made in China after some brands were found to contain antifreeze and later Chinese-made toys were recalled after it was found the paint on them contained lead.Besides, Chinese made tyres are causing safety concerns.
"FDA is initiating an import alert against several species of imported Chinese farmed seafood because of numerous cases of contamination with drugs and unsafe food additives," said David Acheson, the agency's assistant commissioner for food protection.
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