Indonesian authorities yesterday acknowledged that formaldehyde
exists naturally in food and agreed to conduct further
investigations into its recent "public warnings" about allegedly
contaminated Chinese food products, a visiting delegation said in
Beijing.
"Both sides agreed to treat products from both countries on a
non-discriminatory basis," the minutes of meetings between the
delegation and China's General Administration of Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said.
The Indonesian team, consisting of members from three state
institutions, said it "regretted the report" published by the
Jakarta Times on August 28, which accused China of exporting
"contaminated" food.
"There was no intention by the Government of the Republic of
Indonesia to discredit China," the minutes said.
Halida Miljani, head of the Indonesian delegation, endorsed the
"open and honest" discussion between the two parties, adding that
as a consumer herself, she considered Chinese products were of a
"very good quality".
For its part, the AQSIQ said China "will positively consider"
lifting the temporary suspension of Indonesian aquatic products
after evaluation of the country's measures to improve the safety
and sanitary conditions of such exports to China.
A memorandum of understanding is expected to be finalized and
signed during the China ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine next month in Nanning, in
the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Furthermore, both sides agreed to set up a long-term cooperation
mechanism to properly handle similar matters on the safety of food
imports and exports.
Indonesia's Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) issued two
separate warning letters on Chinese food products in late July and
early August on so-called "formaldehyde contaminated" sweets and
toothpaste imported from China.
According to the BPOM, seven of 39 Chinese products tested
positive in July for formaldehyde. The products were seized by
Indonesian authorities during raids on food stores, creating panic
among local Chinese businesses.
On August 2, the agency issued another public warning and banned
a further 42 brands of Chinese candy for the same reason.
In another development, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu
yesterday contested a Washington Post report saying China
pushed shoddy products to Indonesia.
The Washington Post on Wednesday quoted an official with
Indonesia's food and drug safety agency as saying China suggested
Indonesia lower its safety standards. The story also accused China
of taking advantage of its aid and investment to push shoddy
products and inferior standards on poor countries.
"A certain report in the Washington Post was sheer
fabrication," Jiang said.
According to Jiang, a large Indonesian government delegation
arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and had talks with Chinese food
safety authorities. The Indonesian side has denied the
Washington Post report, Jiang said.
"The exports from and imports to China all abide by Chinese
laws, regulations and quality standards, as well as rules in
exporting regions," she said.
"It is discriminatory to have different export quality standards
based on the strength of trade partners, which China never does and
opposes any other country doing."
(China Daily September 7, 2007)
