China to U.S.--We did not Kill Your Pets!!

China denies they have any role in the deaths of pets in the United States.

The United States has blamed wheat gluten imported from China as the cause of pet food contamination that caused the death of many pets across the U.S.

Differing statements on whether China is even exporting wheat gluten to the U.S. is pointing to any ever bigger problem in the regulation of exports from China because China has a horrible record of food safety.

The Chinese issued a statement through their official newspaper of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine stating China does not have any part in the poisoning of pets in the United States. This is the Chinese agency that monitors the export of food, animals and farm products.

A March 29, 2007 statement issued on the China Inspection and Quarantine Times website denies China was exporting wheat gluten to the United States. However, this statement seems to contradict a statement released this week by two employees at the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co who claim wheat gluten has been exported to the United States.

The U.S. FDA has determined the tainted gluten came from Xuzhou Anying, but reports out of China claim this company has only been selling gluten within China. Imports of wheat gluten from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology were stopped by the FDA last week when melamine, a chemical found in plastics and pesticides, was found in gluten made in the eastern Chinese city of Xuzhou.

Adding to the confusion, another report out of China claims the tainted gluten was not even manufactured by Xuzhou Anying. Instead, this report claims the tainted gluten was bought by Xuzhou Anying from companies in neighboring provinces.

Anying produces and exports more than 10,000 tons of wheat gluten a year, according to its Web site, but only 873 tons were linked to tainted U.S. pet food, raising the possibility that more of the contaminated product could still be on the market in China, or abroad.

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