Testing times for foreign fast-food chains

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A meat supplier's practice of selling expired chicken and beef to top fast-food chains in China has highlighted loopholes in ensuring quality and safety in the food supply chain in the country, pushing companies to be more proactive in auditing and testing, experts said.

The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration confirmed on Tuesday that Shanghai Husi Co Ltd was found in violation of the law, after five batches (5,108 boxes) of their chicken, beef andpork were discovered to have problems.

The meat supplier, wholly owned by Chicago-based food company OSI Group LLC, sells meat to nine fast-food chains, including McDonald’s Corp and KFC parent Yum Brands Inc, coffee chain Starbucks Corp and Burger King Worldwide Inc.

The involved brands have halted using products from Husi. McDonald’s and Yum said they will resume purchases when they can ensure the food complies with laws and standards. Neither said what suppliers they would use in the meantime.

The scandal came as multinational food producers and retailers have expanded their outlets and factories aggressively in China, one of their most important markets.

Fast-food chains have been weak in implementing the industry standards and ethical principals that they follow in developed markets, Zhao Ping, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which is under the Ministry of Commerce.

Multinationals should require their operations in China to follow the same standards China to follow the same standards in terms of food safety as in developed markets,” Zhao said. “It is an excuse for food producers to lower their standards only because local regulations are loose and food safety and security awareness are weaker."

Companies should invest in internal training and setup appraisal systems that involve food safety issues, she said.

Questions:

1. Which meat company in China was found in violation of food safety laws?

2. Which Chicago-based company owns the supplier?

3. Who is Zhao Ping?

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Answers:

1. Shanghai Husi Co Ltd.

2. OSI Group LLC.

3. Deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which is under the Ministry of Commerce.

（中國日報網英語點津 Julie 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.