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[Dick]

"Imports of popular Chinese fruit, vegetables and food products were blacklisted yesterday after tests found high levels of toxic contamination and cancer-causing chemical residues. The tests were conducted by the Thai Department of Medical Science and the Food and Drug Administration on about 11,500 food items.

They revealed dangerously high pesticide residues in Chinese spinach, white greens, carrots, celery, pears and collard greens, department chief Paichit Warachit said.

Sulphur dioxide residue was found in dried herbs such as Chinese pyrethrum and white mushroom, while excessive amounts of lead was discovered in dried shark fin and seasoned seaweed.

The carcinogenic drug, chloramphenicol was found in goat milk powder and dried fruit snacks such as dried plums contained the artificial sweetener, saccharine. Jelly, candy and gum imported from China were also found to contain banned artificial colourings and fungi were detected in soft drinks and preserved fruits. . .

Chinese vegetables, fruit and food products have flooded into Thailand since the Thai-Chinese free trade agreement took effect in October 2003. The agreement reduced tariffs from 30% to zero for about 200 fruits and vegetables."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=120924