10 Food Safety Incidents! Chinese Export Products Subject to Massive Recalls and Rejections in Multiple Countries

In this week's time frame, from November 4 to November 8, Singapore, Japan and a number of other countries and regions have issued food-related policies and advisements. The following content will be explained in detail from two main aspects: first, the update of foreign import and export policies and measures, and second, the notification of violations.

I. Foreign import and export policies and measures

The Food Authority of Singapore has withdrawn the recall of my domestic balsamic vinegar

On November 5, 2024, the Food Authority of Singapore (SFA) issued a notice announcing further investigations into the balsamic vinegar imported from our country by Goy Chiap Hin Pte Ltd. After careful testing and analysis, SFA found that the product did not contain sulfur dioxide. As a result, the product has now been approved for sale in the Singapore market. For consumers who have already purchased the product, SFA said they can continue to use it with confidence.

Singapore approved the import of pork and pork products from Portugal

On 6 November 2024, the Food Authority of Singapore (SFA) announced the approval of the import of frozen pork and processed pork products from Portugal. The decision is based on a rigorous review and assessment of Portuguese pork products to ensure they meet Singapore's food safety standards.

Singapore resumed imports of pork and pork products from China's Hunan Province

On November 5, 2024, the Food Authority of Singapore (SFA) announced the resumption of pork and pork products imports from Hunan Province. The decision was made after a detailed assessment of the quality and safety of pork products in Hunan Province.

Japan lifted the monitoring and inspection of imidacloprid residue in Chinese auriculae

On October 30, 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan issued a notice, No. 1030 Food Delivery No. 1. The announcement pointed out that based on the actual inspection results so far, Japan decided to delete the contents of the relevant parts of imidacloprid in the Schedule 3 of the monitoring and inspection of Chinese auriculae. The move means that the monitoring and inspection of imidacloprid residues in Chinese auriculus will no longer be carried out.

Notification of export violations

My homemade rice crust has been recalled in Canada

On November 6, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall notice. The notice states that a rice crust is being recalled in Canada due to the presence of an allergen (milk) not declared on the label. This recall is to protect the health and safety of consumers.

China's fresh persimmon exports to Russia have been rejected

On November 6, 2024, according to the news of the Amur Region Branch of the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision Service, officials of the branch detected a quarantine pest: pear worm in the process of phytoquarantine and laboratory testing of fresh persimmons weighing about 430 kg imported from China. As a result, this batch of persimmons was refused import.

The United States has imposed automatic detention on China's export of soft candy

Recently, the United States FDA website updated the import alert measures (import alert), which automatically detained the relevant products of a Chinese company. This measure is to ensure the safety of imported food and prevent substandard products from entering the U.S. market.

Quarantine pests were detected in export tomatoes of China

On November 7, 2024, according to the news of the Amur Region Branch of the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision Service, officials of the branch detected a quarantine pest in the sample of about 247 kilograms of tomatoes imported from China during the implementation of phytoquarantine and laboratory testing of the sample: tomato brown rupe virus. The discovery led to the tomatoes being refused import.

The European Union reported that China's exports of green tea and dog gum were unqualified

According to the EU Rapid Warning System for food and Feed (RASFF), on November 5, 2024, the EU notified that China's exports of green tea and dog bite gum were unqualified. This circular reminds export enterprises to strictly follow the requirements of importing countries to export products and ensure the safety of food and related products.

The United States recalls flamingo mushrooms imported from Taiwan

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on November 2, 2024, the FDA issued a recall notice. HH Fresh Trading Corp of California is recalling mushrooms imported from Taiwan due to suspected listeria contamination. This recall is to protect the health and safety of consumers.

The European Union reported that the export of fish oil from Hong Kong was unqualified

According to the EU Rapid Warning System for food and Feed (RASFF), on November 7, 2024, the EU notified China that the export of fish oil from Hong Kong was unqualified. Remind all export enterprises to strictly export products in accordance with the requirements of the importing country, ensure the safety of food and related products, and avoid export risks.

Japan reported that China's exports of canned peaches and frozen shellfish and other products unqualified

According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, recently, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Labor updated the violation of Japanese food hygiene law. The report showed that seven batches of food in China were substandard, involving canned peaches and frozen scallops.

In October 2024, the US FDA refused to import Chinese food (October summary)

In October 2024, the US FDA refused to import many batches of food products from China, the main reasons for the unqualified products include all or part containing dirty, rotten, decomposed substances or other substances unfit for consumption.

In October 2024, the US FDA automatically withheld Chinese food (October summary)

Since October, the US FDA has automatically withheld related products from a number of Chinese companies. This measure is to ensure the safety of imported food and prevent substandard products from entering the U.S. market.

Violations of Chinese food exports to South Korea in October 2024 (October Summary)

In October 2024, violations of Korean food exports involved aquatic products, processed foods and agricultural and forestry products. Food and food-related products that violate the export stage are returned to the country of export or disposed of.

Violation of Japan's Food Hygiene Law in November 2024 (Updated on November 7)

Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare updated the violation of Japanese food hygiene law and notified many batches of food and related products unqualified. This circular reminds export enterprises to strictly follow the requirements of importing countries to export products and ensure the safety of food and related products.

Eu Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Communication (Week 44, 2024)

According to the official website of the EU, in the 44th week of notification in 2024, the EU Rapid Warning System for food and feed (RASFF) notified seven cases of Chinese food and related products. It was reported that the substandard dried casings were sold to France, Germany and Spain. Remind export enterprises to strictly export products in accordance with the requirements of importing countries, check the residues of pesticides in products, pay attention to the migration of substances in food contact materials, ensure the safety of food and related products, and avoid export risks.