DeLauro Statement on Discovery of Melamine-Tainted Eggs from China

Statement

DeLauro Statement on Discovery of Melamine-Tainted Eggs from China

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) issued the following statement following news that Hong Kong food inspectors found eggs imported from China to be contaminated with high levels of melamine.

"The avalanche of tainted products from China has ceased being a mere safety issues and is on the verge of becoming a major crisis. The latest development involving eggs tainted with melamine is even more disturbing because of the possibility of it being traced to feed given to chickens. If melamine was intentionally added to animal feed in China, it could result in poisonous beef, chicken, and seafood being shipped all over the world. This has direct safety implications to American consumers if China is allowed to ship poultry products to the U.S. as the Bush Administration is proposing.

"While China has pledged to improve its food safety system, it seems as if they have been making this promise for almost two years now with very little success. Further compromising their effort are reports that the Chinese government was aware of the tainted eggs since September, and other reports that they are under-reporting the health impact of tainted baby formula on infants.

"We must be constantly vigilant about monitoring the food products being imported into the U.S. from China because it is likely that it will take several years before the Chinese government can follow-through with their promise to ensure the safety of their food supply. I will continue to prevent the USDA from moving forward with any proposal that would allow China to export poultry products to the U.S. until China demonstrates legitimate progress in improving its food safety system."

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