Sophie Bennett
The US and China have historically had a tumultuous relationship when it comes to chicken exports. In 2013, the USDA approved Chinese poultry exports to the US, but this decision was met with concerns about food safety, the absence of on-site USDA inspectors, and the lack of country-of-origin labelling. While some sources claim that the US allows chickens to be shipped to China for processing and then shipped back, others refute this, stating that China never ended up exporting any processed poultry to the US under these rules due to high costs and congressional prohibitions. The debate surrounding US-China chicken trade continues, with ongoing discussions about labour costs, food safety standards, and consumer rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the US send chicken to China for processing? | Yes, the US has allowed chickens to be shipped to China for processing and then shipped back to the US. However, there is no evidence that this practice is still ongoing as of 2015. |
| Reason for sending chicken to China for processing | Cost savings due to cheaper labor in China. |
| Concerns | Food safety, lack of on-site USDA inspectors, absence of country-of-origin labels, and China's history of outbreaks of avian influenza. |
| Status of chicken trade between US and China | In 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that China could export fully cooked chicken to the US, granting China access to the US market for the first time. |
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What You'll Learn
The US has approved Chinese poultry exports
The US and China have historically had a tumultuous relationship when it comes to poultry trade. China has long desired access to the US market, as the two countries' chicken meat demands complement each other: Chinese consumers prefer dark meat and chicken paws, while US consumers mostly prefer white meat. In 2006, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) determined that China's inspection system was equivalent to that of the US, meaning it provided the same level of food safety. FSIS ruled that China could export processed poultry to the US as long as the poultry was slaughtered in the US or other countries already eligible to export to the US. However, Congress prohibited the implementation of this rule until the fiscal year 2009.
In 2010, China requested another review of its poultry inspection system, and in 2013, FSIS confirmed that China's poultry processing inspection system was equivalent to that of the US. Despite this, China never ended up exporting any processed poultry to the US under these rules, as the costs were deemed too high. In 2014, a food safety scandal broke in China, with companies reported to have sold unsanitary meat and poultry, raising significant concerns among food safety advocates and members of Congress.
In 2017 and 2018, FSIS conducted another review and audit of China's poultry slaughter inspection system, and in November 2019, they issued a final rule determining that China's poultry slaughter system was equivalent to that of the US. This ruling allowed China to export domestically slaughtered poultry meat to the US, provided it was fully cooked. However, this decision raised concerns among American consumers, especially given China's spotty record for product safety, the absence of on-site USDA inspectors, and the lack of country-of-origin labelling for Chinese poultry exports.
In 2024, the US-China Business Council reported that China had gained access to the US market for the first time, with the possibility of exporting fully cooked poultry to the US. This development was seen as a matter of "pride and principle" for China. However, it is important to note that China has not been exporting significant quantities of chicken meat to the US, despite being the second-largest producer of chicken meat globally. The poultry trade between the two countries continues to be a complex and evolving negotiation, with ongoing concerns about food safety and trade restrictions.
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China's poultry processing inspection system
China has long desired access to the US market because chicken meat demands in the two countries complement each other. Chinese consumers prefer dark meat and chicken paws, while US consumers mostly prefer white meat. In 2006, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) determined that China's inspection system was equivalent to that of the US, meaning it provided the same level of food safety.
However, this decision has been controversial. China has a spotty record when it comes to food safety, with frequent outbreaks of deadly avian influenza, tainted baby formula, and frozen meat smuggled into mainland China. There have also been concerns about the absence of on-site USDA inspectors and the lack of a requirement for Chinese poultry exports to bear labels identifying their country of origin.
In response to these concerns, FSIS has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of imported processed chicken from China. In 2013, FSIS conducted an equivalence audit for cooked poultry, which included a document review process and on-site audits of various aspects of the inspection system, including plant facilities, laboratories, and training programs. FSIS also conducts annual reviews of the equivalency status and on-site audits to ensure compliance.
In 2017 and 2018, FSIS conducted another review and audit of China's poultry slaughter inspection system and issued a final rule in November 2019 that determined China's poultry slaughter system was equivalent. This rule allows China to export domestically slaughtered poultry meat to the US, as long as it is fully cooked.
Despite these measures, food safety advocates in the US continue to criticize the decision to allow chicken processed in China to be sold in the US. There are still concerns about the integrity of food safety processes in China and whether US consumers can trust the safety of imported poultry.
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US chickens shipped to China for processing
In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ruled that China was eligible to export processed poultry products to the United States. This ruling allowed for US chickens to be shipped to China for processing and then shipped back to the US for consumption. However, it is important to note that these practices were banned effective January 9, 2015, when all poultry products became ineligible for export to China.
The decision to allow the export of processed poultry from China to the US was based on a determination by FSIS in 2006 and reaffirmed in 2013 that China's poultry processing inspection system was equivalent to that of the US. This meant that China's system provided the same level of food safety as the US. Despite this ruling, Congress prohibited the USDA from using funds to implement this rule through the fiscal year 2009.
There were significant concerns among American consumers about the USDA's approval of Chinese poultry exports. China's spotty record for product safety, the absence of on-site USDA inspectors, and the lack of country-of-origin labels on Chinese poultry exports raised doubts about the safety of the chicken consumed in the US. In addition, China's frequent outbreaks of deadly avian influenza further heightened concerns.
The process of shipping US chickens to China for processing and then back to the US was also questioned in terms of profitability. The long journey of 7,000 miles, the multiple steps involved in processing, and the cost of labour were all factors that made it challenging for companies to make a profit. However, some companies considered this process feasible due to the significant cost savings achieved by utilising China's lower labour costs.
While the practice of shipping US chickens to China for processing and then back to the US was controversial and short-lived, it highlighted the complex dynamics of international trade and the ongoing negotiations between the two countries regarding their poultry exports.
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Poultry exports to the US is a hoax
Poultry exports to the US from China are a hoax. Despite the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing that Chinese domestic chicken could be exported to the US if the products were fully cooked, China never ended up exporting any processed poultry to the US. This was because the costs would be too high to import raw poultry from other countries and then export the processed products to the US.
In 2013, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ruled that China was eligible to export processed poultry products to the US as long as the poultry was slaughtered in the US or countries already eligible to export to the US. However, Congress prohibited the USDA from using funds to carry out this rule, and it never came into effect. While the USDA did approve Chinese poultry exports to the US, there were no exports.
There were also concerns among American consumers about China's product safety record, the absence of on-site USDA inspectors, and the lack of country-of-origin labels on Chinese poultry exports. China has had frequent outbreaks of avian influenza and has a history of food safety issues, including selling unsanitary meat and poultry. These concerns led to the enactment of Section 738 of the 2020 appropriations law, which prohibits the USDA from using funds to purchase Chinese raw or processed poultry for school lunch and breakfast programs.
While there were discussions and approvals in place for Chinese poultry to be exported to the US, it never actually occurred due to the high costs and trade barriers. As such, claims that the US receives poultry exports from China are false.
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Chicken workers in China earn less
Chicken from the US is not sent to China for processing and then shipped back to the US for consumption. In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a report regarding the food safety system governing the processing of chicken for export in China. However, China has never exported any processed poultry to the United States.
While there was a push for China to gain access to the US market for its domestically produced chicken, this was predicated on the meat being fully cooked. This access was granted in 2019, and China can now export cooked chicken meat to the US. This development was the result of a prolonged back-and-forth between the two countries, with China desiring access to the US market due to complementary consumer preferences: Chinese consumers prefer dark meat and chicken paws, while US consumers largely prefer white meat.
Chicken workers in China are paid less than their US counterparts. This is partly due to the lower cost of labour in China, which makes it more economical for companies to operate there. Additionally, the demand for visas in China is incredibly high, with wait times of up to 11 years. This has led to the emergence of middlemen who charge exorbitant fees, ranging from \$20,000 to \$130,000, for assistance in obtaining jobs in the US. As a result, foreign workers end up paying substantial amounts to secure employment in the US, significantly reducing their overall earnings.
Chicken processing work is physically demanding and often results in chronic pain and injuries for workers. The repetitive motions involved in cutting, hanging, pulling, and trimming chicken meat can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in the hands, arms, and shoulders. The cold temperatures and wet, humid conditions in chicken plants further contribute to unsafe working conditions. In addition to physical ailments, chicken workers in China may also face language barriers and challenges in understanding their rights, particularly if they do not speak English or Spanish, as translation services are rarely provided.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the US has approved Chinese poultry exports to the US.
It is believed that the US sends chicken to China for processing due to the lower labor costs in China.
Yes, the chicken processed in China is sent back to the US for consumption.
No, consumers are not notified that the chicken they are consuming is processed in China.
There have been concerns about China's record on food safety. However, the USDA has determined that China's poultry processing inspection system is equivalent to that of the US.
