Jun 28, 2007 6:03 pm US/Eastern
FDA Warns Against Contaminated Chinese Seafood
Three Types Of Fish, Along With Shrimp, Eel In Question
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The Food and Drug Administration says it's cracking down on imports of three types of fish, along with shrimp and eel because they contain potentially dangerous antibiotics.
First it was toothpaste. Then it was toy trains. Then it was tires.
Now seafood is joining the list of Chinese products that could be harmful to your health. The Food and Drug Administration says it's cracking down on imports of three types of fish, along with shrimp and eel because they contain potentially dangerous antibiotics.
Beginning immediately, Chinese catfish, basa, and dace, as well as shrimp and eel will not be allowed in the United States until the importers can prove they are free from harmful contaminants.
"The sorts of levels that we are seeing in these seafood products do not pose an imminent threat to the public. It would have to be a long exposure at high levels," said Dr. David Acheson, the FDA's assistant commissioner for food protection.
The contaminants in question, according to the FDA are: nitrofuran, malachite green, gentian violet, and fluoroquinolone.
"Nitrofuran, malachite green, and gentian violet have been shown to be carcinogenic with long-term exposure in lab animals," the FDA said in a press release. "The use of fluoroquinolones in food animals may increase antibiotic resistance to this critically important class of antibiotics."
FDA officials said there was no immediate health threat because of the low level of the drugs, but that they could cause harm if they were consumed over a long period.
China is the world's leading producer of farm-raised fish and the third largest exporter of farmed seafood to the U.S.
"Consumers should expect to see less shrimp on the market for sale and the shrimp that is on the market will likely be more expensive," said Dr. Urvashi Rangan of Consumer Reports.
Still, Chinese health officials are standing behind their products. In a rare direct comment to the growing fears of its exports, officials insisted Thursday that the safety of its products are "guaranteed."
Since officials have no idea how much of the contaminated fish is currently in the U.S., the best thing for consumers to do is ask their restaurant or supermarket where their seafood is coming from.
The seafood alert is the latest and perhaps broadest indictment yet against Chinese products, which have come under increased scrutiny in recent months after their pet food, toothpaste, toy trains, and tires have been found to be contaminated or defective in some way.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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