Various organizations and companies have alerted the public to avoid food imports from China due to the country's reputation for producing extremely toxic counterfeit food products that pose significant health risks. These fake food items contain banned chemicals, plastics, and unsanitary substances.
Consuming these products can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, ranging from digestive system damage to hormonal disruptions. Below is a list of the top 10 toxic food items produced in China that are highly detrimental to health.
1. Garlic
Garlic is widely used in various processed foods. However, there are concerns about the safety of garlic imported from China, which is believed to be treated with chemicals and unsafe for consumption.
The soil in which this garlic is grown may be heavily sprayed with illegal pesticides like phorate and parathion, which are banned by both Chinese and U.S. authorities due to health risks.
Additionally, the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic in China's soil could pose a risk of respiratory diseases.
Data from the International Trade Centre, part of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Organization, indicates that approximately 64,876 tons of dried, fresh, or chilled garlic were imported from China into the U.S. in 2014, suggesting a significant presence in the U.S. market.
Identifying Chinese garlic is reportedly straightforward; it typically lacks roots and stems, has smaller bulbs, is lighter, and possesses a milder flavor compared to other varieties.
2. Processed Mushrooms
If you're a fan of mushrooms, particularly canned ones, it's crucial to exercise caution.
Toxic mushrooms gained attention in 2006 when 16 people in Beijing were hospitalized after consuming a poisonous boletus variety. The affected individuals experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Since that incident, there have been multiple cases of food poisoning linked to mushroom consumption.
In the United States, 34% of processed mushrooms originate from China, and some of these mushrooms are toxic and may even be mislabeled as organic to boost sales.
In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected 10 shipments of canned mushrooms from China because of pesticide contamination, leading to a halt in exports of canned mushrooms from China to the U.S.
For safety, always opt for raw, organic mushrooms that are locally sourced or from reputable American or Canadian farms.
3. Soy Sauce
Reports have emerged that some Chinese manufacturers have been exporting low-cost soy sauces made from human hair to the U.S. and UK markets. These soy sauces were produced using a chemical process to extract amino acids, similar to the method used for artificially hydrolyzed soy sauces.
The amino acids were derived from human hair collected from salons, barber shops, and hospitals across China. The Chinese government has banned the production of hair-based soy sauces.
Investigations also revealed the presence of bacillus cereus in soy sauce, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea within 10 to 12 hours of consumption. Tests by the UK's Food Standards Agency in 2001 found that most imported Chinese soy sauce products contained the chemicals 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP, which are genotoxic and carcinogenic.
These chemicals are associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. It is advisable to avoid cheap soy sauces and opt for high-quality products, or to eliminate soy sauce from your diet if possible.
4. Turbot Fish
Turbot fish, commonly farmed in China, constitutes over 80 percent of the turbot market in the United States. Regrettably, it is considered one of the most toxic and unhealthy fish for consumption.
Farmers in China have been reported to use hazardous levels of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, including some that are banned, to boost productivity. These chemicals can linger on the fish well beyond the harvesting and processing stages. Standard aquaculture technologies fail to prevent diseases in turbot with compromised immune systems.
Furthermore, these fish are often raised in small, highly polluted wastewater pools.
In 2006, the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration discovered carcinogenic nitrofuran metabolites in turbot samples. Additional harmful substances, such as malachite green, were also found by authorities in Beijing.
A 2009 study by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted concerning findings, including the detection of harmful veterinary drug residues in Chinese farm-raised seafood.
Tilapia, another widely farmed fish in China, is also advised against for similar reasons.
5. Cabbage
In China, it has been reported that some vegetable producers spray harvested cabbage with a formaldehyde solution to maintain freshness during transit. This illicit practice has been prevalent in eastern China for years.
The use of formaldehyde keeps the cabbage looking fresh and plump for an extended period without the need for refrigeration, thereby reducing production costs for farmers who often cannot afford refrigerated transportation.
However, formaldehyde is a hazardous, carcinogenic chemical commonly used for disinfection. Consuming food contaminated with formaldehyde can lead to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.
Should you detect a strong odor on the cabbage purchased from a store, it is advisable not to consume it. To ensure safety, it is recommended to choose organically grown cabbage from local markets.
6. Wuchang Rice
If you're a fan of China's Wuchang rice, known for its aromatic fragrance and unique flavor, you might need to reconsider. This rice is priced significantly higher than regular rice and may not be as healthy as believed.
Reports suggest that a counterfeit version of Wuchang rice contains a mixture of genuine Wuchang rice, synthetic potatoes, and plastic grains made from industrial synthetic resin. This mixture is then perfumed to mimic the authentic rice aroma, packaged, and exported. The imitation rice remains hard after cooking.
This adulterated rice contains toxins like phthalates and bisphenol A, substances long banned in the U.S. due to their potential to interfere with hormonal functions, particularly estrogen, and their association with reproductive health issues.
Since this rice is primarily exported and consumed outside of China, buyers should exercise caution.
To test the authenticity of Wuchang rice, one can burn a sample. Genuine rice will char, while counterfeit rice will melt and emit a foul odor due to the plastic content.
For safety, consider choosing non-GMO or organic rice cultivated in North America.
7. Apple Juice
Purchasing inexpensive, prepackaged apple juice that lacks flavor often indicates it may have originated from China.
Research institutions have detected elevated arsenic levels in such juices, surpassing the FDA's threshold for concern.
Consumption of arsenic can result in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, coughing, fatigue, fever, headaches, rapid heart rate, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Prolonged exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancers of the skin, lungs, bladder, and kidneys.
However, the FDA notes that arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in water, air, food, and soil, and asserts that trace amounts in certain foods and beverages, including fruit juices, do not pose a public health risk.
China was the leading exporter of apple juice concentrate to the world by 2010, with the United States being the primary consumer. Notably, two-thirds of the U.S. apple juice supply was imported from China. Following revelations about harmful chemicals in apple juice, imports have significantly decreased.
Health professionals advise against purchasing prepackaged juices, recommending natural, homemade juice made from apples acquired from local farms instead.
8. Industrial Salt
China produces approximately 90 million tons of salt annually, with 91 percent being non-edible industrial salts that contain heavy metals and other harmful substances.
Despite regulations, some Chinese manufacturers have been found selling industrial salt as table salt.
These salts may include dangerous metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, or nitrites. Accumulation of these metals in the body can lead to nerve damage, cancer, and other health issues, including negative effects on reproduction and the thyroid gland.
Moreover, industrial salts have been used in the production of pickled vegetables in Chengdu, Sichuan. Investigations in 2004 revealed that several Chinese factories were utilizing industrial-grade salt for this purpose. Additionally, these vegetables were treated with pesticides high in DDVP (dichlorvos), a toxic organophosphate, prior to export.
It is advisable to be cautious of salt and salt-containing products imported from China.
9. Green Peas
When purchasing frozen green peas, it's advisable to verify their origin. Reports have surfaced over the years about China exporting counterfeit green peas made from soybeans, snow peas, green dye, and sodium metabisulfite. Sodium metabisulfite, a banned substance in many countries, is used as a dye and has been linked to cancer and interference with calcium absorption.
These artificial peas do not soften when boiled, instead turning the water an unnatural green color and emitting a strong odor.
Exercise caution when buying green peas, and consider opting for locally sourced produce, particularly from local farmers.
10. Tofu
Vegans who depend on tofu for their daily protein intake should exercise caution when purchasing it. Tofu produced in China has been reported to be potentially toxic.
In Guangdong, certain tofu producers were discovered using a mix of sewage, slop, and iron (II) sulfate to create chemically enhanced tofu. This process not only sped up the production but also improved the look of the fermented product.
At facilities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, workers produced tofu by mixing soy protein with flour, monosodium glutamate, pigment, and ice. This tofu was sometimes marketed under the branding of other companies.
Some producers even incorporated rongalite, a bleaching agent associated with cancer risks.
Rather than purchasing tofu from stores, consider making it at home. Homemade tofu can be easily made using soy milk.
Source: top10homeremedies.com
