Ironhanded measures are being taken these days by concerned departments to make a clean sweep of "poisonous rice" out of all rice markets since the "rice" was found in some areas in Guangdong.
So far, about 9.35 tons of poisonous rice have been seized in Guangzhou and still more in some other areas like Jiangmen, Fushan, Shunde, Nanhai and Gaoming. "Poisonous rice" as was found in Guangzhou is an adulterated polished rice variety with mineral white wax mixed in, sold by unlawful money-grabbing profiteers. When used it causes acute poisoning, serious diarrhea and even conk, doing great harm to people's health.
In the last few days, a search has been made into every foodstuff wholesale market and into all grain shops, hotels, restaurants and mess halls to ensure a thorough check be put to all "poisonous rice" sales and profiteers be put to justice in the province of Guangdong.
Meanwhile, the province also makes it sure that food sanitation knowledge be well spread on a provincial scale to enhance the consumers' awareness and capability for self-protection and take care not to use "poisonous rice".
A latest news item also releases that Guangdong as is found in some other parts in China has had its "poisonous rice" come from Yuanyang of Xinxiang, Henan Province and the culprits have been caught. Taking warning from this, all state-owned grain departments are called by the central authorities to do a good job of putting the country's food markets in order and keeping a close watch on food distribution channels, grain stocks, processing, transport and marketing in the way food safety is well protected.
(People's Daily 12/13/2000)
