Fake food and drink destroyed after crackdown
Officials empty fake liquor into a tank prior to its destruction.
More than 1,900 kilograms of fake or substandard products were destroyed by the city's market watchdog in Jinshan District on Wednesday in a joint crackdown against food violations.
They included 67.8 liters of fake or substandard drinks, 124 boxes of fake coffee and 153 boxes of health products. The total value of the products was more than 111,500 yuan (US$15,894), according to the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation.
Fake Moutai liquor and Nescafe products were among the items destroyed.
A total of 2,308 food safety cases have been dealt with since September 11 in a campaign launched by Shanghai's food watchdog, the police, and education and agricultural authorities. Of them, 664 involved unlicensed food operations and 15 excessive use of food additives, according to the administration.
Another 23 involved trademark infringements and 21 where non-edible substances had been added to foods, it said.
"Shanghai upholds the strictest requirements and highest standards in crackdowns against food violations to ensure food safety," said Xu Jin, deputy director of the administration.
Over the period, Shanghai police cracked 58 food safety cases, 136 percent more than the same period last year, and 148 suspects were caught, an increase of 160 percent.
Thirteen sites where fake spirits were being made and sold were shut down with the value involved around 62 million yuan.
More than 11,900 school canteens, food suppliers and food businesses near schools were inspected, and 2,020 food samples tested.
Nearly 300 were ordered to fix irregularities and the total fines in 48 cases reached 289,000 yuan, the administration said.
An official destroys some fake or substandard food products.
Officials load fake coffee into a van to be taken for destruction.
