Chinese company recalls products suspected of African swine fever contamination

Anjoy Foods

18/02/2019 06:09

BEIJING, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Major Chinese frozen food
producer Sanquan Food Co Ltd  002216.SZ  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.
    African swine fever is incurable in pigs but does not harm
people. An epidemic of the disease has spread rapidly across
China since August 2018, reaching 25 provinces and regions.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N1ZF2LU urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N204016
    Dumplings, which consist of dough wrapped around meat or
fish that are then boiled, fried or steamed, are a staple
Chinese dish and are also a central meal for the Lunar New Year
holiday. 
    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.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N20D05Q
    The company did not confirm or deny the reports in the
statement.
    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.
    Kedi Group and Synear could not be reached on Monday for
comment.
    Another report on Friday by the Economic Observer said
Sanquan products sold in Hunan province had also tested positive
for the virus.
    The media reports show that diseased pigs are entering the
food supply chain, although it was not clear if the virus was
still in a viable form.
    Other Chinese food products have also been found containing
the virus in recent months, prompting Beijing to issue stricter
rules for slaughterhouses including a requirement to sample
batches for the virus.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N1Z21FH
    Last month, frozen food firm Fujian Anjoy Foods Co. Ltd
 603345.SS  said that some of its meat balls were suspected to
contain the African swine fever virus.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nH9N1ZG00S   
    Sanquan, headquartered in China's central Henan province,
said it was implementing further measures to test and control
against African swine fever.
    It added that every batch of its pork came from quality
suppliers and was certified by relevant authorities.  
    The company's shares fell 2.25 percent on Monday.
    African swine fever contamination in Chinese food products
raises the chance of its spread to other countries as consumers
take food with them overseas to neighbouring Japan, South Korea
and Taiwan and even Australia.   

    

 (Reporting by Hallie Gu and Dominique Patton; editing by
Christian Schmollinger)
 ((Hallie.Gu@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627 1250; Reuters
Messaging: hallie.gu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))