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Spoiled food, Beijing praises itself but forgets the victims
More than 5,000 factories and 2,000 people punished by the government for using illegal substances in food production. But China covers up investigations of food scandals and punishes those who seek justice.
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Chinese government declares itself "satisfied" with the campaign against companies using illegal additives in food production. According to an anonymous officer of the Food Safety Commission of the State Council, "more than 5,000 companies have been closed for this crime. And 2,000 people were punished for their involvement."
Among the most striking cases is the use of clenbuterol, a chemical stimulant that reduces fat and increases muscle growth, mixed in feed for pigs. More than 120 cases examined by the Commission related to this stimulant, which is deadly to humans: about 980 people involved in the use of the additive have been arrested. But there were also cases of bean sprouts treated with a carcinogenic chemical compound, expired buns dyed to make them look fresh, and sweet potato flour made with corn, ink and paraffin.
The investigation ordered by the Council of State was born from public pressure, which flared up after the cases of milk adulterated with melamine, where thousands of babies were poisoned and suffered kidney stones (6 of them died); dumplings poisoned with pesticide sent to Japan and toothpastes made with antifreeze. All these scandals have burdened China's international image, considered "unreliable" for the quality of its products. But the country has begun up a campaign of repression.
Beijing, in fact, was forced to recognize the errors committed by industrialists in all these cases and summarily promised "compensation" and "justice". In reality, however, after a couple of well-publicized cases, it gave the order to cover up everything: those who protest and fight to get what was promised risk jail and torture.