Food Quality Magazine
ISSUE 02 | AUTUMN 2014
Food Safety Crises
7 / 2014
China: Shang Hai Husi Food embroiled in a major food scandal
(Source: Reuters.com) The issue was first uncovered by a local Chinese television station that
exposed workers of Shang Hai Husi as offenders of food safety practices. According to the local
media, factory workers mixed both fresh and expired meat before distributing them to clients.
In addition, they also included in the batches meat that had fallen off the floor.
Forbes’ report claimed the said company was forcibly closed by the Shanghai Food and Drug
Administration as of July 21, 2014. McDonald’s and KFC have long issued official statements,
asking for apology from the Chinese people for selling food products from adulterated meat.
Furthermore, both companies announced that they will be changing suppliers for their Chinese
branches because of the said incident.
Unfortunately, other well-known fastfood chains, cafes, restaurants and food establishments
also get their meat from Shang Hai Husi Food Company. Reuters reported that Dicos, owned by
Ting Hsin International and the third ranking fast food chain in China, also issued an official statement promising that the company will pull out meat products from Shang Hai Husi such as ham.
Other affected establishments include Burger King Worldwide Inc., Pizza Hut, Papa John’s International Inc. and Starbucks. The latter, however, said they have no direct dealings with the
company. However, their products with chicken content are supplied by another company which
obtained its sources from Shang Hai Husi.
To make matters worse, McDonald’s Holding Company Japan also announced that they obtained
some of the chicken supply from Shang Hai Husi. One fifth of its supply used in their chicken
nuggets came from the closed down company. As a result, McDonald’s Japan ordered on Monday, an immediate stop to the selling of this product.
9 / 2014
Taiwan - lard oil found tainted
(Source: TaipeiTimes.com, Time.com)
Chang Guann, one of the largest lard distributors in Taiwan, is now in the spotlight for its adulterated oil. The company was found to sell oil mixed with gutter oil. Police found that the oil and
lard supplier purchased gutter oil last March from Kuo Lieh Cheng, an unlicensed factory based
in Pingtung. Chang Guann, reportedly mixed lard oil and gutter oil in a 1:2 ratio. The result is 782
tons of Chuan Tung oil. The gutter oil was taken from various companies and factories such as
Shun Te Enterpsise, a factory owned by waste recycler Hu Hsin Te.
The adulterated oil was sold to various food manufacturers, bakeries and restaurants all over
Taiwan and even in Hong Kong and China. According to Taiwanese authorities the oil was used
to make more than 200 food products. Among those companies and factories that reportedly
manufactured those products include Ching Hsin Fresh Food Factory, and Maxim’s Cakes. These
products were distributed and sold in Taiwan Family Mart Co. and 7-Eleven Hong Kong. Retailers
and supermarkets are now pulling out tainted products from their shelves.
10 / 2014
UK - risk of the bottles shattering
(Source: FSA) Asda has recalled five lot codes of Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry 75cl because of
the risk of the pressurised bottles shattering. The product is sold only to Asda in the UK.
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