This is scary. My family does not live and can not yet afford to move to a property where we can produce our own food; particularly, vegetables and fruits. We don't live near a farmer's market. So, we rely, like many Americans, on our local commissary or supermarket. The way I read this article, it's telling us there is very little we can do about this problem of tainted food and other necessities because by squashing China's imports we would be shooting ourselves in the foot. So it seems as if China is sending us poison--because they can. And there is nothing we can do about it. Even a vegan diet is not immune to potential poisoning unless you totally go homegrown.

The selling out of America happened years ago to China as greedy companies moved operations and purchases overseas. Violations in China are one of the hardest in the world to enforce, you shut down one company 3 more spring up to take its place. You shut down those 3 and they move to different provinces and reopen under new names. The Chinese 'Mafia' is also extremely difficult to beat, they have all the angles covered and know exactly what they're doing. And don't forget, this is about more than just food, it includes almost everything you buy these days. ;-(

What can we do about this?

Dezzi, I just finished reading this book. I found it really informative. The author provides many web resources to help in this area.

You might find this site helpful too. It will help you locate any local farms or markets near you.

One shouldn't oversimplify the situation. It is not so much China that is sending the tainted food as it is the giant companies with limitless power and very limited scruples. Believe it or not, there are organic and wholesome farmers working in China, but just as in America, they have no way to compete with the giant corporate conglomerates, and their produce is too costly to help those people who first and foremost must worry about feeding their families.

The food industry is a dirty business. Organic food is a luxury for the rich, and many times its not as clean as you may think!

Don't put all the blame on the Chinese. If the US producers weren't out to maximize profit by creating a greater risk to the consumer, the Chinese suppliers would be forced to provide safer goods.