China is the world's largest exporter of food products. This country uses innovative methods and techniques to bring its products to world markets as quickly as possible and at a lower cost. Not surprisingly, many foods suffer the consequences of these economies of scale. Here is a list of Chinese foods containing dangerous substances that we must avoid.
The list of dangerous foods imported from China to avoid:
1 - The apple juice
In 2011, Dr. Mehmet Oz said that apple juice from China contained a very high amount of arsenic. Another research published by Consumer Reports magazine showed that 10% of apple juice analyzed exceeded standard arsenic levels. The arsenic found in the products was not organic but on the contrary, toxic and dangerous. However, it turned out that children usually drank a significant amount of juice, which can lead to serious health problems.
2 - Industrial salt
China is the largest salt manufacturer in the world. However, because of marine pollution, the salt we eat contains micro plastics that are dangerous for health. Studies have shown that a person annually ingests 5800 particles of synthetic debris from sea salt, among other dangerous food sources.
3 - Cod and Tilapia
Both types of fish are grown especially in China. However, because of wastewater, industrial waste and pesticides, these fish become particularly toxic and pose an inherent risk to the health of the consumer.
4 - Chicken
China is one of the countries with the highest risk of bird flu in the world. The latest contamination is from early 2019 when authorities announced a new H5N6 avian influenza outbreak in Lijiang City.
5 - Garlic
According to the laws that govern the country, Chinese farmers are obliged to spray their pesticide plantations containing methyl bromide in order to fight against the proliferation of insects. And although the government plans to remove a dozen highly toxic pesticides by 2022, Chinese agricultural products remain dangerous to health.
6 - Mushrooms
To maintain their appearance, mushrooms are sprayed with chlorinating agents and other substances that are particularly hazardous to health. An article in the Telegraph revealed that certain mushrooms imported from China had radioactive effects.
7 - Green peas
A report from the NGO Green Peace revealed that a significant number of plants imported from China were contaminated by high levels of pesticides. Frozen peas from the middle empire are therefore also to be avoided.
8 - The soy sauce
According to a BBC article, the Food Standards Agency warned consumers of the potentially harmful effect of soy sauce. Indeed, it contains 4-methylimidazole, a particularly dangerous compound for health.
9 - The Tapioca pearls
In 2012, researchers at Aachen University Hospital in Germany found toxic compounds in Tapioca pearls, as explained by our colleagues at Huffpost. These products may affect the immune system, the nervous system and the endocrine system.
10 - Canned foods
According to the Guardian, canned peaches imported from China would be particularly dangerous for health. Indeed, it would contain twice as much lead as the authorized threshold.
11 - Shrimps
ABC News says shrimps imported from China are being raised in deplorable conditions. In fact, the channel reports that the Food and Drug Administration has revealed that shrimp and other seafood from China contain pesticides and other pesticides.