Mainland checks up on DEHP products

BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhuanet) --China's top quality watchdog has ordered more
intensive supervision over food imported from Taiwan, as some toxic drinks
have been already found in the mainland market.

This small free trade market in Xiamen city, is a major place for cross
strait sales exchanges. But many shelves have quickly emptied since the DEHP
scandal, and businesses have been affected.

Distributor of Xiemen, Fujian province said "The tainted drinks are supposed
to be sent back to Taiwan but it might not be feasible. They will have to be
destroyed. I think my loss will be compensated by the factory in Taiwan. "

A total of ten Taiwan enterprises have so far been banned from exporting to
the mainland, including popular names such as Uni-President. The company was
found to have exported 200 cases of tainted asparagus juice to Fujian
province. A spokesman from the company said these toxic drinks have now been
recalled.

In the meantime, food additives containing DEHP were also found to have been
distributed to southern China's Guangzhou, Jiangmen, and Dongguan areas.
Mainland-produced drink products have been declared safe for the moment
after a sampling check of 17 brands proved DEHP free.

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine has stepped up its investigations, and many online shops were
also asked to stop selling the blacklisted products.