China Retaliates on Product Bans

(Beijing, China) Since the U.S. put bans on the import of some Chinese products because people and pets died, China has taken action which appears to be nothing more than retaliation.

The Shanxi Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has discovered selenium in the protein powder imported from the U.S.-based Jarrow Formulas Inc. exceeded Chinese food safety standards, said sources with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

On Friday, the ChiComs also suspended imports of frozen pigs ears and chicken feet from the U.S. after "traces of chemicals and dangerous bacteria" were found.

Awfully suspicious, I think. Didn't the Chinese government just execute the head of its food quality inspection program for abject corruption? The answer is yes. I contend that Chinese food safety standards are malleable and determined by "Who is the guy and how much does he want?"

Not only that, but consumer protection in China has to be considered as foreign a concept as free speech. Think about it. The same country that gave the world such delightful problems as SARS and the avian flu all of a sudden is worried about imports. Doesn't make sense.