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The article reports that some Chinese food may be contaminated with heavy metals. The news adds to concerns over Chinese exports since news of poisoned toothpaste manufactured in China came out in March, followed by a number of other product recalls. Industrial pollution from runoff and poor management is contaminating village farms, and, increasingly, food for export.

The article reports on varied government rules on melamine content of food around the world. According to U.S. regulators, health concerns on food products would not be raised it they contained levels below 2.5 parts per million of melamine, an industrial chemical found in formula milk in China. Meanwhile, Taiwan had set a standard limit of 0.05 parts per million that led to a recall by Nestlée SA of its China-made products after regulators found traces of the chemical.

The article reports the arrest of two Chinese men suspected to be responsible for the contamination of baby formula with melamine. The Ministry of Health officials in China announced that 1,253 babies have already been affected by the toxic chemical while 2 were already killed. Melamine is the same material associated to damaged dog food exported to the U.S. The milk powder was distributed by Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Go., partly owned by the New Zealand company, Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd. A product recall has already been initiated.

The article reports on the decision of China to restrict its exportation of garlic and ginger to the U.S. The Chinese government has ordered facilities in Shandong province to stop shipping the foods until they can abide by tougher safety standards. The action follows a host of import-safety incidents in the U.S., including a July 2007 recall of fresh ginger tainted with an illegal insecticide. Prices for garlic grown in California have risen by about 40%.

This article reports on the steps taken by the Chinese government to address the crisis concerning food safety within the country. Zheng Xiaoyu, former head of the State Food and Drug Administration, was sentenced to death for receiving bribes of cash and gifts from several pharmaceutical companies during his tenure. The government also announced the implementation of a food-recall system to address recurring food-safety problems.