Henan Firm Recalls Dumplings Over Swine Fever

A major mainland frozen food producer, Sanquan Food Co, said on Monday it has recalled products that may be contaminated with African swine fever, following media reports that some of its dumplings tested positive for the virus.

Sanquan Food, based in central Henan province, issued a public statement confirming media reports published in recent days that contaminated pork dumplings were detected in two provinces that do not share a border.

The company said suspect batches of dumplings had reached grocery stores, but that it was sealing affected products and cooperating with authorities. The statement did not mention a broader recall.

African swine fever is incurable in pigs but does not harm people. An epidemic of the disease has spread rapidly across the mainland since August 2018, reaching 25 provinces and regions.

Sanquan, one of China’s top dumpling brands, said in a statement to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange that it has recalled all products suspected of contamination, specifically citing reports of contamination in three batches of pork dumplings. The company said it is cooperating with local authorities on an investigation into the reports.

Late on Friday, the Communist Party-run Beijing News said that dozens of samples of processed pork products sold in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu were found containing the virus.

The positive samples, confirmed by local authorities, according to the report, came from 11 different companies including Sanquan, Kedi Group and Synear.

Unconfirmed Chinese media reports have said that products manufactured by several other companies also contained traces of the virus.

But the media reports prompted anger online from Chinese consumers who vented over the latest in a recurring series of product scandals, despite repeated government promises to ensure safety. (AFP, Reuters)