Sudan-I and China

As Britain is once again beset by another food scare - this time the cancer-causing dye Sudan-I, found in a wide variety of prepared foods, there has been little mention of its presence in China. 

The red dye has been found in China; in particular in products made by a Heinz subsidiary, the Heinz Meiweiyuan Food Co. based in Guangzhou. The US food company has issued a recall of chilli sauces, chilli oils and other products in China suspected of containing the agent. 

Xinhua news agency cited China's General Administration for Industry and Commerce (GAIC) as saying the dye had now been found in 12 provinces and municipalities, including Beijing and Shanghai. 

The suspect products all came from a raw materials provider, the Guangzhou-based Tianyang Food Co. Ltd., the administration said. 

In Guilin, in southern Guangxi autonomous region, 58 kilograms of raw materials containing the colourant have been seized, but two kilograms remain unaccounted for, Xinhua said. 

11th March 2005

Malaria

Once again, I have been asked about malaria in Liuzhou. PLEASE NOTE: I have no medical training, so take this as it comes. If you are in any doubt seek proper medical advice. Your health is your responsibility.

According to the World Health Organisation, "Malaria risk—including P. falciparum malaria—occurs in Hainan and Yunnan. Multidrug-resistant P. falciparum has been reported. Risk of P. vivax malaria exists in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang (only along the valley of the Zangbo river in the extreme south-east) and Yunnan. Very low malaria risk (P. vivax only) exists in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Shandong. The risk may be higher in areas of focal outbreaks. Where transmission exists, it occurs only in remote rural communities below 1500 m: from July to November north of latitude 33°N, from May to December between 33°N and 25°N, and throughout the year south of 25°N. There is no malaria risk in urban areas nor in the densely populated plain areas. In general, tourists do not need to take malaria prophylaxis unless they plan to stay in remote rural areas in the provinces listed above." (My emphasis)

So, although we do get plagued by mosquitoes, there is no malaria here. I have never taken anti-malarials or heard of anyone suffering from malaria in the ten years I have been here.

For tips on avoiding mosquito problems click here.

10th March 2005

TB Kills 10,000 a Year in Guangxi

Guangxi Health Department have said that tuberculosis is biggest killer in Guangxi, with almost 10,000 fatalities per year. They estimate that 15 million people, or one third of the population, have been infected and about 360,000 are suffering from active TB in the lungs.

Make sure those inoculations are up to date! The story is here.

29th December 2004

China Orders Medicine Price Cuts

China will slash the retail price of more than 400 medicines by an average of 30 per cent after long-standing complaints of overcharging, state media said yesterday. Full report here.

3rd June 2004

The Danger of Squatting!

According to a study published in the April issue of the journal 'Arthritis and Rheumatism', squatting puts tremendous stress on the knees, and doing it habitually appears to contribute to arthritis later in life.

In the study, done by researchers at Boston University, experts studied more than 1,800 senior citizens in China.

Based upon interviews and X-ray images, researchers found that the study participants with a history of squatting at age 25 had an increased chance of developing a breakdown of the knee joint. The more time they had spent squatting, the greater the prevalence of the condition, known as tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

3rd May 2004

Lead Levels in Liuzhou Children Exceeds Maximum Levels

Since 10th December 2003, Liuzhou Health Authorities have been testing lead levels in local schoolchildren in nine middle and elementary schools. In their report released yesterday, they say that over 6,000 children were tested for blood lead content and 68.1% found to be above recommended maximum level of 10µg/dL. Click here for more information on blood lead levels. 

In addition to blaming this on environmental pollution, the authorities also blame children's habit of sucking on pencils! They also mention the use of coal products at home and the popularity of canned drinks!

15th January 2004

312 Rabies Deaths in Guangxi

Guangxi Health Authority have issued figures showing that the occurrence of rabies has increased dramatically over the last few years. From a total of 25 cases in 1995, the figure reached 204 cases in 2002 and from January to September this year a total of 312 people have died. And there was us worrying about SARS! Check out those inoculations. The story is here.

5th November 2003

Chopsticks may cause arthritis

Using chopsticks may cause arthritis in the hand, U.S. researchers have reported. Click here for the full story. (New link)

26th October 2003