Scandal shows scale of problem

IT IS SHOCKING TO LEARN THAT HUSI FOOD, A Shanghai food distribution company that supplies meat to international fast-food giants, such as McDonald's and KFC, has been supplying unsafe products.

An undercover investigation by reporters found that it had supplied meat products that were up to seven months past their expiration date to McDonald's, KFC and other restaurant chains.

Officials of the Shanghai food and drug authority were also prevented from entering the company until about an hour after staff's arrival at the factory site, arguably long enough for the company to destroy evidence and conceal problematic food items.