Politically Connected?

There is so much to be aware of, in the quality of the foods we eat. Traditionally, it was the possibility that meat and meat products might be the source of harmful bacteria, and the handling of meat on the production line, in supermarkets and in the home was of critical importance to ensure food safety. And then the public became aware through news alerts that fresh fruits and vegetables as well could constitute a danger, harbouring deadly pathogens.

Nothing quite equalled the horror, however, of discovering that unscrupulous food producers and manufacturers in China were using additives in their food products that constituted a danger to health. Imagine, attempting to increase the protein content of milk by adding a chemical used to soften plastic in industrial applications, causing ill health to hundreds of thousands of Chinese and the death of infants.

But then, consumers are not always aware of what it is they're using, and they go right on blithely trusting and using non-consumable products like shampoo, hair conditioner, cosmetics that are laced with known carcinogens. Industry produces what is convenient, and cost-effective for them to use in their finished products. And government inspection agencies do the minimum to ensure public safety, because it is too costly to do otherwise.

We can, though, look for example, for organic products, if we wish to. There are no real guarantees until and unless all those who lay claim to organic production must do so under the law, under strict rules. We do, though, have the alternative to go to local organic farmers, seasonally, and take advantage of what they offer if we're willing to go out of our way to do so, and willing to pay a little more than for conventionally-grown produce.

Food scientists inform us that there are little-to-no advantages as far as nutritional content is concerned. For those who wish to avoid contact with and ingesting pesticide residues, there can be a difference, however, particularly with some types of soft fruits and vegetables. Many supermarkets now have large departments dedicated to organic products; we do have those alternatives.

In China, it appears, the population does not. Unless they're politically connected, wealthy, part of the foreign diplomatic community, or otherwise 'entitled'. Ordinary Chinese just have to lump it. It's not just that they cannot afford these alternate, organically grown very expensive products, it is also the absolute paucity of them in a country with 1.3-billion people. The use of fertilizer and pesticides ensures a greater yield of crops than does organic farming.

Organically grown and prepared products while in high demand are available in small numbers. The general public need not apply. "We have supplied them for almost 20 years. Our product cannot be bought in an ordinary supermarket as our volume of production is very little", explained a spokesperson for the State Council, China's highest administrative body.