Get Your Act Together, China!

The Chinese automaton has become the focus of attention these last few years due to a number of issues involving harmful contaminants in their medicine and food. With last year’s Heparin controversy dimming out, a new focus concerning contaminated dairy arose several weeks ago. The Chinese corporation Sanlu Group announced a recall for their baby formula because it contains a notable amount of the drug melamine, an agent harmful to the kidneys. However, according to the New York Times, twenty-one other dairy companies have reportedly been using this chemical to “artificially meet protein requirements” (NYT, para. 8, Worried Parents in China Wait for Answers on Tainted Formula) as well. These companies have recalled their products containing melamine and government officials swore to rectify these issues…though not in a timely fashion.

The grandiose display of Chinese economic prowess that was the 2008 Olympics came at a price paid by many new parents. Sanlu’s timing in their public announcement has raised speculation amongst critics who are questioning how long the company knew of the chemical’s presence in their dairy. A recently published Wall Street Journal article about the drug states that, “Chinese companies were under strict orders at the time not to be the source of bad news that could disrupt the games, and Chinese reporters were told not to report negative news” (WSJ, para. 8, Chinese Formula Maker Hid Toxic Danger for Weeks). In other words, China was less concerned during these times about public safety and more about preserving the country’s image.

A number of critics are railing on the government officials accusing them that the delayed recall was not out of ignorance, but a premeditated notion to avoid bad press during the games. “People also complained,” according to the Times, that “greater precautions on food safety [were taken] for the athletes…than for the public” (NYT, para. 14). What could have been done in order to evade such an epidemic? “Aug. 2, [Sanlu Group] discovered melamine in the formula, and promptly informed its directors…but local authorities said they ‘were not in a position’ to make a public announcement” (WSJ, para. 18-19). Certainly hindsight did not factor into the dire nature of this equation.

China’s inability to monitor their foods and pharmaceuticals has been a topic of public scrutiny within the last year: from the anti-clotting drug, Heparin, 80 Americans died in 2007 from a bacterial growth within the syringe. At roughly the same time 1,500 domestic American cats and dogs died from ingesting dairy laced with same the contaminant found in the toxic baby formula. There have also been reports of toothpaste containing a chemical commonly used in anti-freeze.

At the same token, the finger is not only pointed at quality control officials within the Chinese government, but also melamine dealers and dairy farmers who have been accused of using this chemical to meet protein requirements in their dairy. If they choose to dilute the dairy, the levels of protein drop rendering the product unsellable. Melamine artificially increases the protein levels so the venders can sell their diluted dairy to wholesalers.
Since last week, BBC News reports there have been four infant deaths, 1,300 hospitalized and an astounding 6,200 and counting ill. Because this story is just now developing, officials are expecting the death toll to rise significantly in the weeks to come. Unfortunately Chinese hospitals are inundated with sick infants and are unable to provide the necessary medical attention to treat them…footing the bill for the medical expenses was a problem entirely of its own.

Recently, though, to their credit Chinese authorities are now offering free medical attention to sick children, Sanlu Group’s general manager was fired, and arrests of possible culprits have been made. Unfortunately, this company has yet to make any statement regarding these events other than the ostensible apology made by the executives.