More than 110 people arrested in China for selling diseased pork

Chinese officials have arrested more than 110 people for allegedly selling pork from pigs that died from disease.

According to the Chinese Public Security Ministry, officials have also seized more than 1,000t of contaminated pork and 48t of cooking oil produced from the meat over the last four years, the New York Times reported.

These products were confiscated from markets in 11 provinces, including Henan and Guangxi.

The ministry said that those arrested are part of 11 different groups who allegedly purchased dead pigs from farmers at low prices and later processed them into bacon, ham and oil.

Having started their operations in 2008, the accused groups had also bribed food supervisory authorities to acquire quarantine certificates, Reuters reported.

As part of this development, 75 suspects have been prosecuted along with many food quarantine staff.

The country has previously had several food scandals, including donkey meat products tainted with fox, heavy metals in baby food and allegations of expired meat sold to fast-food chains.

In a response to this last week, China’s Food and Drug Administration had strengthened its focus on food and drug safety in the country with more on-site inspections, random tests and unannounced visits.

Last month, American sandwich chain Subway announced an investigation over a media report in China alleging that workers at Beijing Subway outlet doctored the expiry and production dates on meat, drink and vegetable products in order to extend the use.

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Image: Chinese officials are seizing contaminated pork in latest food scandal. Photo courtsey of freedigitalphotos.net.