quelquefois

Once word broke out that liquid milk had traces of melamine, I knew all liquid milk was done for. But what I didn’t think about was all of the food products that China makes that have milk in them. Not long after, White Rabbit candies were being pulled off store shelves across the globe. Then, investigative reports reveal that melamine usage has been “rampant” in the dairy industry. If that wasn’t mind-jostling enough, WSJ reports that Cadbury chocolates have melamine (as well as snacks like Oreos, Snickers). Oh wait, now Ritz crackers and Lipton teas are also tainted. My father sent me an e-mail that named all of the products and brand names affected by the melamine crisis (at least 30 different products, 30 different brand names).

It’s already pretty messed up that government officials munch on pure, organic food while letting the masses suffer (population control conspiracy, anyone?). But are they the only ones to blame for the scandal? I see some blame on every level of the manufacturing chain.

First, many milk farmers are often pressured to satisfy the growing demand for milk from consumers, while they also face decreased profits from government-induced price decreases. How are they to make more milk when they cannot proportionally increase the number of cows they have to meet demand? Farmers aren’t notorious for being rich themselves, how do we know how well they’re feeding their cows? A lack of modernization of farming supplies may also affect their milk turnout.

Second, those who make melamine for industrial use should know who their customers are, and what they intend on using melamine for. Though I see the possible counterargument for this (is it their job to know who they sell to? Money is money), after the dog food scandal last year, the melamine producers should be a little more careful about who they sell their product to. And perhaps melamine producers are also looking for

Third, companies who have known about the addition of melamine since December 2007 kept hush-hush about the issue. They ignored complaints by (or offered hush money to) individuals who suspected something wrong with their milk. They’re rumored to have pressured farmers to produce more milk to meet demand, and they’re suspected to have had connections with melamine producers.

And lastly, the central government’s weak grasp on their quality control initiatives are to blame. Who the hell gives out “free passes” for quality control tests? It sounds like an open invitation to adulterate food for more profit. I am also disappointed that the Chinese government never does anything until something explosively bad happens. Then, they go 100% all out to control the problem, but within a year, things go back to the way they used to be. They will be waiting for the next public health disaster to sprout up.

A New York Times editorial by Bee Wilson divulged information about America’s dirty food past and contrasted it with present-day China. She argued that places experiencing rapid growth and seeking wealth are often look for (harmful) alternatives to meet demand, to make more money. I hope that China’s food system–from the bottom up and from the top down–gets better soon.

In other news, I just bought a carton of Mengniu milk produced on September 18. Hopefully, the milk gods are on my side…at least for the time being.

I was thankful that I didn’t buy a large can of X brand powdered milk at the store the other day. Days after, the Sanlu milk powder scandal was scoured all over international media. And, as recently as yesterday, more news broke of even more dairy companies (as many as 22, according to Bloomberg) having melamine in their products. Among these companies is Yili, an official Olympic sponsor,and also the brand of milk and yogurt that I drink. It’s not too reassuring when the company describes their fermentation method as something that is “through the advanced and unique arts and crafts, so it is of high quality. ” (source)

As a side note, I do think it’s pretty hilarious how Yili describes these yogurts:

Targeted Consumers: The products are mainly designed for urban white-collar ladies aged 23 to 35, who care more about their appearances, has certain consuming capacity, seek for a better life quality and pay more attention to the exquisite details and superior mental experience. They are also fashionable and pay attention to health and individual personalities.
Taste: Elegant Plain, Moist Aloe-Flavored,  Skin-Regenerating Blueberry-Flavored

And for their lowfat milk:

It is for married women who are 26-45,who pay attention to the body and the health. They buy for their children and themselves.

I’m kind of loving the whole arbitrary age groups. But anyway, food in China seems never to be up to par, and I’m seriously considering altering my diet to include more imported foods, regardless of price. I’d rather pay $7 for a box of cereal than pay $7,000 for a hospital bill. It’s too bad that I come to China hoping to immerse myself within its culture, but find myself having to find ways to avoid certain Chinese things. I don’t mean to say this with the idea that American everything is the best there can be. Of course it isn’t. Indeed, much of what I use and consume in the States is “Made in China.” Additionally, we also have our own food and product crises.

I just wish that the Chinese weren’t always in it for the quick profit (sound familiar, Wall Street? Learn this lesson from the Chinese, will ya?), and weren’t willing to trick consumers into believing something is perfectly fine when it’s not.

China’s notion that they can substitute harmful ingredients for real ones just for the sake of profit is seriously one that needs to be shed. Unfortunately, changing a culture 1.3 billion strong is immensely difficult, as can be seen in my futile attempt to convince Chinese citizens that I’m really not a Korean. Really.