Invisible Hand Report - Chinese Pork Knuckles Soaked In Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Hydroxide - Yum!

[hatrack]

CHEMICALLY whitened pork knuckles have not been found in any Shanghai markets, authorities said yesterday, following reports of this dangerous practice in Beijing. Hundreds of kilograms of tainted pork knuckles were found on sale in Baliqiao market in the capital's suburban area, the Beijing News reported yesterday.

Tainted stock is bigger and whiter than usual, but clammy, with a chemical smell. The knuckles are submerged in chemicals, including sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrite and hydrogen peroxide.

These have been banned from food production due to their corrosive properties. Some are linked to cancer. Butchers use them to improve the appearance of the knuckles and to bulk them up. Shanghai Industry and Commerce Administration said it is aware of the practice but no similar cases have been uncovered in local agricultural markets.

Reporters from the Beijing newspaper found an underground workshop, owned by a butcher, churning out whitened pork knuckles. Dong Jinshi, a food safety expert, said that sodium hydroxide could make pork knuckles heavier, adding 100 grams to each kilogram.

EDIT

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=484958&type=National

[Blue Owl]

1. Paging Michele Bachmann

Behold the untold glories of de-regulation and government non-interference -- long live the free market!

:eyes:

[Turbineguy]

2. But

hydrogen peroxide is natural!