Australia: No Optima brand dog food exported to China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-16 08:55

BEIJING -- Australia has confirmed it never exported to China Optima brand dog food allegedly linked to the deaths of dogs in Chinese cities, according to a notice on China's quality watchdog website Thursday.

Australia confirmed Wednesday that "Doane International Pet Products Australasia", the producer named on the dog food packing, was not an Australia-registered company, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) said.

The result went along with GAQSIQ's finding that local entry-exit inspection and quarantine units had never allowed the import of the dog food.

Some media reported the Optima brand dog food was imported from Australia and caused the deaths of dogs in Shanghai and other cities.

Chinese domestic media, citing vets who treated the sick dogs, said the food was suspected of containing aflatoxin, an extremely toxic and carcinogenic fungus found on corn and other grains that can cause liver damage.

Domestic importers are required by law to apply for a permit before they can import pet food and the imports must undergo examination and quality tests by inspection and quarantine units before being allowed to enter country and the market.