|
 In
the first three months of 2007, U.S.
imports of fresh vegetables from China
grew by 66 percent, juice imports grew by 98 percent, and fresh fruit imports
grew by an astonishing 279 percent.
As large manufacturers buy more food from the country, China
could be poised to become the same export juggernaut for fresh foods that it
has become for manufactured goods. In 2000, China
accounted for less than 1 percent of all U.S.
fresh garlic imports. In 2005, China
accounted for 73 percent of the same market.
A similar trend has been occurring in the markets for strawberries
and other foods.
However, China's
safety record for food imports is not reassuring. In April, 107 food imports
from China were
detained by the FDA at U.S.
ports.
In-Forum News May 24, 2007
Business
Week May 23, 2007
China
has transformed, seemingly overnight, into a dangerous juggernaut run amok into
kitchens across America.
They are seizing the opportunity to expand their already massive exports market
by taking commanding shares of the fresh and organic produce markets.
This month's
(June issue) of National Geographic has a very illuminating article
about how life has been transformed in China as they lead the world in most
forms of manufacturing. It really is an eye-opening revelation at the price
China is paying to work at such low wages to produce the goods of the world.
For the past three decades China's economy has averaged nearly 10
percent ANNUAL growth. Their economy is fueled by the largest migration
the world has ever seen. An estimated 140 million rural Chinese have already
left their homes and another 45 million are expected to join the urban workforce
in the next five years.
The stories told in this article reveal that the bulk of the Chinese
are not benefiting from this massive increase in economic growth. They are losing
their connection to ancient traditions in exchange for a piece of the "good
life," which never materializes.
The Western countries that "benefit" from the explosive
growth of imported fresh produce from China have the potential for some pretty
dire health ramifications. The real price for cheap strawberries year-round
may end up being your health.
Factory-farming is really only good for the owner of the factory, not the
workers and not the recipients. When you abandon time-tested methods of growing
food and start the processing early up the food chain you significantly deteriorate
the quality of the food.
This is true wherever the factory farms are, in China or the United States.
China
is now almost as well known for toxic
food ingredients as they are for cheap electronics. Especially in
the light of the last few months' string of disasters, such as:
- Pet
food ingredients laced with toxic melamine
- Imported livestock quarantined for disease and banned
chemical contaminants
- Catfish fillets from Chinese aquatic farms tainted with bacteria
and heavy metals
- Dried apples preserved with a cancer-causing chemical
- Mushrooms laced with illegal pesticides
Wal-Mart is the nation's largest food retailer. They are also China's
eighth-largest trading
partner. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart does not appear to have your best
interest at heart, as they spearhead the campaign against stricter food
regulations, port inspections and country-of-origin labeling.
Don't fall for Wal-Mart's
cheap promises of healthy fresh foods, available regardless
of the season. Instead, support your local
farmers -- and protect your own health -- by buying fresh,
organic
produce that hasn't seen more of the world than you have.
Also, stick with fruits
and vegetables that are in season, according to your
nutritional type.
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