China said Saturday it had sent back meat imported from the United States and Canada because it contained traces of a banned drug. Food safety authorities returned more than 40 tonnes of pork imported from the two countries after discovering traces of the growth stimulant ractopamine, China's official Xinhua news agency said.
Most countries ban the use of ractopamine in livestock destined for human consumption, but it is permitted in 24 countries including the US and Canada, Xinhua said. China complained last month of problems with food imports from the US and urged authorities there to act to resolve them. The move followed a spate of safety scandals surrounding Chinese exports to the US and elsewhere - ranging from toys and tyres to seafood and toothpaste.
China's safety standards have come under sharp international criticism in recent months amid regular reports of fake, shoddy or dangerous goods emanating from the nation's chaotic and corrupt food and drug industry. The Chinese media usually ignores scandals involving the country's exports, but regularly reports problems with imported products.