No "contaminated rice" has been found in Beijing's markets so far during an investigation organized by the city's bureau of quality and technical supervision.
The search began after 55 tons of rice contaminated by wax was recently found in 10 cities in Henan, Shandong and South China's Guangdong provinces, according to the State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision. It causes headaches and diarrhoea when eaten.
The Ministry of Health issued an emergency notice, demanding that health departments in all provinces investigate the local food industry.
Officials from the Beijing bureau have checked all State-owned grain shops in the city and the two main grain markets for private dealers.
"We will do everything we can to prevent a single contaminated grain from flowing into Beijing," said Zhang Baosong, director of the Market Office of the Beijing Municipal Grain Reserve Bureau.
(China Daily 12/13/2000)
