September, 2008

Tainted Milk Recall Demands Inter/national Accountability

Jason TOO Kin-wai

From National Pride to Political Delay

When on 28th September China became only the third country in the world to send astronauts into outer space, it showed the world its technological advancement and national pride. As with Olympic pride this past August, however, this pride came alongside a crisis which should have been addressed months ago: an international recall on China’s tainted milk products. It should remind the government that technological and economic progress must be commensurate with responsibility to safeguard people’s lives.

Milk from Chinese dairies has been found to be tainted with melamine (tripolycyanamide), a chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers. Melamine was first discovered in infant formula produced by the mainland’s biggest milk powder maker, Sanlu, and later in other milk products. Melamine-tainted milk has caused kidney stones in infants. Four babies were reported to have died from tainted milk, and more than 52,000 have fallen ill. This tainted milk saga exposes the problem of corporate social responsibility and the weaknesses of China’s current food safety monitoring system. In short, it calls for more transparent and accountable governance.

Well before the national recall of Sanlu infant formula, officials at the health department in Gansu province documented 59 cases of kidney stones in infants since this year. When in mid-July the significant rise in kidney stone cases involving babies aged five- to eleven-months was linked to feeding with the same formula, the department launched an investigation. As Vice Governor Yang Chongyong of Hubei province later admitted, Sanlu, the milk maker, reported to the local government of its headquarters in the. provincial capital, Shejiazhuang, on 2nd August. The national recall of Sanyu on 11th September represents, therefore, a political delay, well after Beijing’s hosting of both the Olympics and Paralympics. The government’s inaction reflects a national policy to suppress any news detrimental to its national image during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Internal Communication Problem Turns into International Crisis

The timing of the recall of infant milk powder was not coincidental. Beijing notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the tainted milk on 9th September, the same day the New Zealand government announced warnings about the infant formula. Until that time the Chinese government had been reluctant to take any action.

This crisis exposes the privileging of the Olympic Games over the well-being of people’s lives. But there is another side to the story: the problems of monitoring food and public health. While the Chinese government did not want to expose the risk to public health posed by the tainted milk, there should be a mechanism to monitor food safety. Dr. Shigeru Omi, Director for the Western Pacific Region of the WHO, commented that the delay in reporting the crisis also speaks to a problem of internal communication. Some people already knew but did not share the information. This issue points to wide-reaching weaknesses in the food control system in China. In acknowledging that it is difficult to ensure best practices are followed at every level, Omi reminded the public that the same problem happened during the SARS outbreak in 2003. 

International Crisis Turns into International Responsibilities

The SARS saga taught us a lesson on public health on both national and international levels. China demonstrated progress in its response to the Sichuan Earthquake and successful organization of the Olympics. Likewise, its efforts on poverty reduction are also recognized by the international community. 

In a speech at the U. N. High-Level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on 25th September, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proudly announced that China has brought down the number of people in absolute poverty from 250 million to 15 million in less than 30 years. He also referred to the World Bank statistics that China accounted for 67% of the achievements in global poverty reduction. China does play a role in achieving the MDGs.

As Wen mentioned, the country has set up a system of self-governance for rural and urban settlements which fosters government transparency, democratic oversight and direct election at the community level. It is yet to develop, however, open and transparent governance for all people. The tainted milk saga reminds the country including its corporations and government that both its national and international responsibilities demand more accountability and transparency in governance. Food safety is but one of the litmus tests for such venture.