China: Oranges being passed off as imports due to toxic colouring scare
It emerged last month that some Gannan navel oranges had been illegally coloured with carcinogenic red Sudan dyes, usually used on plastics and other synthetic materials. Investigations also revealed that fruit had been artificially ripened using growth stimulator ethrel, banned for use in oranges.
The Shanghai Food Safety Office said yesterday that tests on 20 samples of Gannan navel oranges on sale in the city revealed no trace of the carcinogenic dye, nor artificial ripening.
However, Pan Caidong, the deputy director of the Shanghai Fruit Association, said a number of retailers are nonetheless labelling the Jiangxi fruit as produce from Australia or the United States.
Some fruit sellers said sales of Gannan navel oranges, popular amongst locals, have been affected by the scandal, said Pan, who is also manager of Shanhua Fruit Wholesale Market, a major fruit supplier in Putuo District.
Local wholesale fruit markets have tightened supervision of oranges from Ganzhou, in Jiangxi Province, asking businesses to provide detailed certificates.
Gannan navel oranges refer to oranges grown in some 18 counties in Ganzhou City in Jiangxi. They are expected to be labelled appropriately, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
Source: eastday.com
