Seven people in Southern China are being held for injecting dirty pond water into lamb.
According to Reuters, the individuals in southern Guangdong province are suspected of injecting dirty water into lamb's meat to increase its weight and raise its price, based on information reported by the China Central Television (CCTV).
In the latest food scandal to hit the country, the suspects reportedly violently butchered up to 100 sheep a day. They later injected the bacteria infected water into the meat. CCTV reported that the meat was later sold to restaurants in cities such as Guangzhou and Foshan and other markets. Health officials, along with public officials, searched the slaughterhouse, which was reported as an illegal warehouse.
Officials found 335 live sheep, medical equipment used to give injections and fake Chinese inspection stamps. Before being butchered the animals were injected with about six kilograms of water. Food safety concerns in China has become a major issue. Last week, the Chinese branch of Wal-Mart super stores recalled their donkey meat products after it was found to be contaminated with fox meat.
The company apologized to their customers and will provide a refund to customers who bought the tainted "Five Spice" donkey meat. The Shandong Food and Drug Administration stated that the company has agreed to help local food industries investigate Chinese supplier. The investigation reportedly has plans to strengthen food safety rules and take action against the supplier.
In 2008, six infants died after drinking tainted milk formula. In December, health officials pronounced a plan to tight rules set around milk powder, as a way of boosting the confidence of producers and quiet the fear around their $12.4 Billion market.
According to the Pew Research Center report, about 40 percent of residents think believe that food safety is a major problem for the country, who are the world's second largest economy.
