2 August 2007 - China, which said last week it was resuming shipments of White Rabbit candy to the Philippines after claims from that country that the product was tainted with formaldehyde, is now “counter-attacking”.
According to the Chinese press, custom authorities have seized 2 tons of dried banana pieces imported from the Philippines found to contain high sulfur dioxide levels.
The levels found amounted to nearly 25 times the maximum level authorised by Chinese regulations on food additives, said the press reports.
The reports add that the sulfur dioxide came from residues of sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite, which were used as decolourants and preservatives in the production process.
Ingesting sulfur dioxide can cause queasiness and vomiting, and can be carcinogenic in the long term.