60 flavored foods on banned list as authorities launch store checks

Sixty products containing illegal additives have been banned from shelves as part of Beijing's ongoing food safety crackdown.

A citywide inspection of supermarkets and stores was launched on Sunday to find and confiscate the flavored snacks, which either have excessive levels of sodium cyclamate, benzoic acid or coloring agents.

On the list are 53 foods made in Central China's Henan province, with almost all the products typically sold in districts on the city's outskirts, such as Fangshan, Shunyi, Daxing and Huairou, according to the food safety administration.

However, Sang Liwei, China representative for Global Food Safety Forum, said he hopes authorities will do more to close the supervision loopholes in suburban areas.

"The industry and commerce departments always focus on the food safety in central areas and ignore outlying areas, which leaves potential risk and opportunities for illegal enterprises," he told METRO.

"Inspections are like battles. The administration must use sensible strategies to replace blind crackdowns or else lose the battle." he said. "Additives are harmful to livers and digestion systems over time."

Tian Xueguang's supermarket in Shouhang, Chaoyang district, was one of several visited by authorities on Sunday.

"Although our market doesn't stock those (banned) brands, we'll check on our sources carefully and inspect the incoming goods more strictly," said the manager.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/23/2011)