Call for Stricter Regulations on Chinese Food Imports

Target: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Goal: Urge the FDA to impose stricter investigations and labeling on imported food from China

A report from the European Nation points out that China has had a long history of importing tainted foods into other countries; in 2012 alone, there were over sixteen foods rejected by the EU, including pumpkin seeds mixed with glass chips, maggot-infested pasta, and noodles containing high levels of aluminum. As large numbers of investigations and reports find malpractice in China’s food production, the FDA must impose more rigid regulations for Chinese imports in order to protect Americans from food contamination.

The United States is a large importer of Chinese food products: 80% of our tilapia, 51% of cod, and 49% of our apple juice is from China.  However, the FDA only inspects 2.3% of all food imports, making Americans extremely vulnerable to food contamination.  Though American consumers may make efforts to be more conscious about their grocery shopping, it is difficult for them to make accurate evaluations because food products from China that are processed in other countries are labeled as processed or packaged in those countries, with no mention that the raw food product is from China.

By signing this petition you will urge the FDA to conduct stricter and more frequent investigations on food imported from China to maintain safety and sanitation for American consumers.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Food and Drug Administration,

Seeing as the U.S. imports so many food products from China, recent reports of tainted food imports have made me very concerned for the well-being of American consumers.  Though we can hardly stop China from selling tainted food in their country, the FDA should be able to inspection our food imports thoroughly enough to ensure that contaminated products rarely find their way into our homes.

I have been informed, however, that only 2.3% of food imports are inspected by the FDA.  Yes, that is probably a lot of food already, considering how much food we import from other countries, but the problem with China’s food is so severe that we need to direct more attention toward ensuring the safety and sanitation of these products.

In addition, it would be a great help to consumers who want to shop consciously if we could work towards labeling foods that originated from China as such, instead of just under the country that the food was processed in.  Especially for foods like meat and fish paste, which can be easily contaminated in its place of origin before the paste-making process, it is important for consumers to have the right to know where their food originally came from so they can make conscious food choices.