Chloramphenicol found in honey imported from China
Aug 29, 2002 (CIDRAP News) – Low levels of chloramphenicol, a potentially harmful antibiotic that cannot legally be added to food, have been found in honey imported from China, federal officials announced yesterday.
More than 50 containers of bulk Chinese honey have been detained at US ports in the investigation, the US Customs Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a joint announcement. The agencies said the honey allegedly had been shipped through other countries in an illegal effort to evade US anti-dumping duties.
In rare cases, the use of chloramphenicol can lead to idiosyncratic aplastic anemia, a potentially life-threatening condition, the agencies said. The FDA said it is not aware of any contaminated honey on retail shelves, and no related illnesses have been reported.
Food and animal feed containing chloramphenicol are illegal in the United States, officials said. "Currently, Customs is stopping all suspect bulk honey imports to this country for the FDA to determine whether they contain chloramphenicol. Any shipments containing chloramphenicol will be detained."
Officials said the honey investigation was triggered by suspicions of illegal dumping—sale of foreign goods within the United States at prices below the cost of production or below the price in the home country. As a result of the probe, anti-dumping duties were imposed in May 2001 on honey from certain Chinese companies. Subsequently, Customs agents found evidence that Chinese honey was being shipped to the United States through several other countries to evade the duties.
"During the investigation, Customs officers in Los Angeles drew samples of bulk Chinese honey from several detained containers that had arrived at the local port. A laboratory analysis found that the honey contained chloramphenicol," the announcement said. The FDA later confirmed the presence of chloramphenicol.
In June, the FDA announced it would increase testing of imported shrimp and crayfish for chloramphenicol. The move followed reports that health agencies in Louisiana, Canada, and Europe had found chloramphenicol in shrimp and crayfish from China and Vietnam. At that time, the FDA said China had banned the use of chloramphenicol in food animals and feed in March. The agency also said Chinese officials reported that they were starting to test shrimp, crayfish, and other exported food products for chloramphenicol and other drug residues.
In spite of lower food safety standards for foreign food products, some was detained at the border by U.S. Customs? How can this be?