Dec 21, 2020 12:39 AM EST
Buyer Beware: Chicken From China Carries Fake USDA Stamp

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently alerted people regarding a Chinese imported chicken with a fake USDA stamp. 

Aviation and the advancement of technology help countries better trade, import, and export products from different countries for people to enjoy. 

Several market products are imported from different countries, making their sales and company wing a bell and introduce their brand. 

According to Investopedia, exports are important to a country's modern economies because they let people and firms many more markets for their goods or products.

Of course, different countries have regulations and control exporters need to abide by to enter a foreign market. But sometimes, to avoid this long process, exporters go for a shorter route. 

The News and Observer reported that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an alert concerning a food imported from China that carries a fake USDA infection stamp. 

On the Fake Stamp

(Photo : Raul Sifuentes)
A cook wearing face mask and latex gloves works at TIMBO chicken restaurant on May 26 in Lima, Peru. Restaurants in Lima and some provinces of Peru can reopen following strict health protocols and doing delivery only. President Vizcarra extended quarantine until June 30 authorizing some industries to get back to operate with certain restrictions. Despite being one of first nations in the Americas to take strict preventative coronavirus measures, Peru is only second to Brazil in number of victims and positive cases.

USDA emphasized that the chicken wings are shipped to one retail location and then distributed to 20 different retail locations, such as California, Oregon, and Washington. 

The federal agency added the products have fake USDA mark labels bearing "P-40478," an establishment number that, according to USDA, does not exist. 

Read also: Know Your Beef: Here's What USDA Beef Grades Actually Mean

Miami Herald stated that the problem was discovered when the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) receives a consumer call complaining product suspected of being illegally imported being sold at a location.

USDA noted that the FSIS said the product was unentitled and misbranded with a fake USDA examination mark after the inspection. 

The News and Observer pointed out that company Di-Da Di-Da from the State of California imported the poultry from the People's Republic of China. 

Miami Herald added that the bags have labels like "Chicken arrived," "Organic Chicken," and "New-Orleans Roasted Chicken Wings" with the expiration date of 09/19/2021 written in Mandarin. 

FSIS mentioned that they are concerned whether the product is still stored in the freezers of the consumers. They also urged the retailer who purchased the chicken not to sell it.

USDA encouraged the consumers who brought the product to put the chicken in a double bag when throwing it. So that wild animals have no access to it. 

Importing Procedures in the US

Investopedia noted one of the functions of diplomacy and foreign policy between governments is to foster economic trade, reassure exports, and imports all trading parties' profit. Thus, bringing in and distributing are important.

However, there are specific policies each country must abide by. In the United States, FSIS is the one who oversees the import of meat, poultry, and egg products in the whole country, and they issue guidance for countries who wish to export in America. 

According to FSIS, the guidance is to help the US importers, customs brokers, official import inspection establishments, and the general public understand the requirements before introducing their product to the US market. 

Related article: Food Stamp Recertification to be Reinstated by USDA, Food Experts Worry

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