Clams infused with antibiotics, Chinese herbal tea mixed with Western medication, noodle soup cooked with poppies, foodstuff imported from radioactive zones and frozen beef produced in an epidemic area – these are just a few of the food scandals recently showcased by the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau.
On July 3, a one-day publicity campaign promoting awareness of ‘food crimes’ was held in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu District. The event was part of the Food Safety Publicity Week of Guangdong, held by the public security authority of Guangzhou in concert with its provincial counterpart.
READ MORE: Multiple Food Scandals Rock South China
During the campaign, videos, photos, illustrations as well as evidence taken from crime scenes were showcased. Since 2015, Guangdong’s public security arms have dealt with a whacking 7,090 food safety-related cases, in which a total of 9,550 suspects were arrested, according to Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department.
Curious which dining locations were involved in the worst of the culinary worst? Below is a roundup of the areas were the most stomach-churning food scandals to hit Guangzhou have occurred. Dine at your own risk!
1. Yile Lu, Haizhu District
Over the 2017 Chinese New Year holiday, the Haizhu District Food and Drug Administration, along with police, discovered an antibiotic called chloramphenicol (commonly used to treat fever) in the clams sold at a seafood store on Yile Lu. Chloramphenicol is toxic to the hematopoietic system (the bodily system of organs and tissues involved in the production of blood) and harmful to one’s eyesight, among other side effects.
The owner of the store was detained in March and the case is still under investigation.
2. Zhongshan Liu Lu, Yuexiu District
Back in January, samples taken from a herbal tea shop on Zhongshan Liu Lu were found to contain fever and pain relief medicine, such as APAP or paracetamol. A man surnamed Wang was detained for allegedly adding the innards of fever- and flu-treating capsules.
3. Zengjiang Dadao, Zengcheng District
On January 4, a food safety inspection carried out on Zengjiang Dadao by the Zengcheng Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with local police, led to the discovery of a noodle shop that was using opium poppies, the source of drugs like heroin and morphine, in preparing its food. Two suspects, surnamed Ma and Gong, were arrested and two kilograms of opium poppy shells were found.
4. Yide Lu, Yuexiu District
A batch of packaged foodstuffs imported from radioactive areas were uncovered back in April on Yide Lu. The bust was made by Yuexiu District Police and Guangzhou Food and Drug Administration, who were alerted to the contaminated food by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. The shop’s owners, surnamed Guo and Zeng, were taken into custody.
5. Huanshi Xi Lu, Liwan District
The Guangzhou Food and Drug Administration found a total of 4.3 tons of frozen beef produced in epidemic areas located outside of China this past May. The meat was being sold in a shop on Huashi Xi Lu, in Liwan District. Three suspects were detained.
6. Changfu Lu, Tianhe District
In reaction to a Guangzhou TV report on March 15, police and food and drug authorities in Tianhe launched an investigation into a Chongqing hot pot restaurant on Changfu Lu. The restaurant’s chef, surnamed Huo, had been preparing hot pot broth with oils extracted from diners' leftover cooking fluids. Huo was apprehended in Chongqing by the Tianhe police.
READ MORE: Couple Busted Making Fake Salt in Guangzhou
[Images via CNN, Associated Press via Daily Mail, Sputniknews, Ganji.com, 3158.cn, lm158.com]
0 User Comments