Chinese Honey Seized by FDA
Honey imported from China has been seized by the FDA in Philadelphia. The honey contained a potentially fatal ingredient that is not approved for use in food products by US regulators. The ingredient chloramphenicol is actually an antibiotic that fights certain bacteria. However, it can cause aplastic anemia, leukemia and a number of other serious conditions. The powerful antibiotic is only used in cases where a person has not responded to any other treatment methods.
Agents seized 64 drums of the tainted honey valued at 32 thousand dollars. The honey was imported by the California based company Sweet Works. The California company got the honey from the Chinese honey manufacturer Cheng Du Wai Yuan Bee Products and then sent it on to the Delaware Avenue Distribution Center in Philadelphia. The honey was only stored in the warehouse after Alfred Wolff of Chicago purchased the bulk supply. The FDA and US Marshals are investigating the matter further.
The seizure took place just days after Senator Charles Schumer asked the FDA to define clear honey standards. Schumer claims this one shipment is just the tip of the iceberg and the FDA needs to do regular inspections on imported honey. Chinese factories do not adhere to the strict food safety practices the US enforces and the imported foods may be potentially dangerous. A defined set of standards would help regulators enforce quality rules and hopefully avoid these potential disasters. China has become a major player in the honey industry and has seriously affected the business of US based honey producers. 
It’ the other way round. The reason why the USA has to import honey is because there is not enough honey being producced locally. The reason why not enough honey is being produced in the USA is because the bees are suffering “colony collapse disorder” on a massive scale. This bee colony collapse has implications for other crops and not just honey production. Nevertheless safety inspections of all foods is a given whether locally produced or imported.
The thought of importing food from that disgusting country makes me sick.