Latest China food scare: Bogus buns
Dodgy dumpling expose joins growing list of food safety scares.
In recent weeks new examples of dangerous or below standard Chinese products have come to light on an almost daily basis – from toxic toothpaste to children’s toys painted with lead-based paint.
The series of alerts has sparked a media outcry in China and calls for greater controls on Chinese exports abroad.
Cutting costs
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| The bao zi filling was made with 60 per cent waste cardboard |
In the case of the fake buns the CCTV reporters used hidden cameras to show the lengths the bao zi producers were going to in order to cut costs.
To get the right consistency the cardboard was shown being soaked in caustic soda, a poisonous industrial solvent.
The owners told the reporter they then mixed it with about 40 per cent fatty meat and the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate before selling the bao zi in nearby markets.
Despite discrepancies in colour and texture, the bun makers – who were shown wearing little more than boxer shorts and flip-flops – said they did not believe customers are able to tell the difference.
“Do you eat them?” the CCTV reporter asked the factory owner.
“No, I don’t eat them,” he replied.